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.

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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

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preposition

1. a variant of towards

toward Idioms  

1. see go a long way toward.

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Other Word Forms

• towardness
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of toward

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

toward

The next phase of research will involve further evaluation of the compound, with the goal of advancing it toward clinical trials.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

“The terminals are old! They weren’t meant for this,” a tired CTA employee explained, kindly ushering us through the stroller entrance as the next train rumbled toward the platform.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

The science of willpower is that there is part of the brain toward the front, toward the lateral prefrontal cortex, that is in charge of ordering around the rest of your brain.

From Slate ● Oct. 17, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

I take a perverse satisfaction in rushing off toward Dara, planning to drop her food and finally find my escape route.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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