toward

[tawrd, tohrd, tuh-wawrd, twawrd, twohrd, tawrd, tohrd]

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

adjective

1. rare,  in progress; afoot

2. obsolete,  about to happen; imminent

3. obsolete,  promising or favourable

preposition

1. a variant of towards

Other Word Forms

• towardness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of toward¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of toward¹

Old English tōweard; see _to , _-ward

Idioms and Phrases

see go a long way toward.

Example Sentences

The fund aims to deliver market-beating returns by tilting its portfolio toward smaller stocks with low valuations and attractive profits, according to Morningstar.

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However, those artificial habitats are shifting too, as the area moves away from rice production and toward orchards and dry farmland.

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Joshua Rash was living in a Sacramento encampment underneath a bridge when, officials said, a man walked toward him with a handgun, intent on taking his dog.

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As in the past, the U.S. and China could still find ways to work toward a detente.

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A shutdown wave freed specialist capital, worries about administration drug-price plans are easing, and interest-rate cuts could move investors toward riskier sectors.

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