toward

American  

[tawrd, tohrd, tuh-wawrd, twawrd, twohrd, tawrd, tohrd] / tɔrd, toʊrd, təˈwɔrd, twɔrd, twoʊrd, tɔrd, toʊrd /

preposition

1. in the direction of.

   to walk toward the river.

2. with a view to obtaining or having; for.

   They're saving money toward a new house.

3. in the area or vicinity of; near.

   Our cabin is toward the top of the hill.

4. turned to; facing.

   Her back was toward me.

5. shortly before; close to.

   toward midnight.

6. as a help or contribution to.

   to give money toward a person's expenses.

7. with respect to; as regards.

   his attitude toward women.

---

adjective

1. about to come soon; imminent.

2. going on; in progress; afoot.

   There is work toward.

3. propitious; favorable.

4. Obsolete.

   1. promising or apt, as a student.

   2. compliant; docile.

toward British  

adjective

1. rare in progress; afoot

2. obsolete about to happen; imminent

3. obsolete promising or favourable

---

preposition

1. a variant of towards

toward Idioms  

1. see go a long way toward.

---

Other Word Forms

• towardness
  noun

---

Etymology

Origin of toward

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English tōweard; equivalent to to + -ward

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

toward

Beijing’s $37 billion subsidy program is steering consumers toward smart gadgets and green technology.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

Under the direction of new CEO Josh D’Amaro, the company is embarking on a path toward becoming a “more efficient” and “much smaller organization,” leaning on further internal consolidation and more external deals.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

Even with this temporary fix, the river is still trending toward the critical threshold at Lee’s Ferry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

The immediate reaction was predictable: the 10-year Treasury yield jumped back toward 5.33%.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

She navigates a chorus of friendly greetings as she walks down a dim, quiet corridor toward her room.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---