First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1toward
adjective to·ward \ˈtō-ərd, ˈtȯ(-ə)rd\
Definition of TOWARD
1
2
a obsolete : quick to learn : apt b : propitious, favoring <a toward breeze>
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Origin of TOWARD
Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard facing, imminent, from tō, preposition, to + -weard -ward
2toward
preposition to·ward \ˈtō-ərd(z), ˈtȯ(-ə)rd(z), tə-ˈwȯrd(z), ˈtwȯrd(z), ˈtwōrd(z)\
: in the direction of (something or someone)
—used to indicate the direction faced by something
: near (a particular place)
Full Definition of TOWARD
1
: in the direction of <driving toward town>
2
a : along a course leading to <a long stride toward disarmament> b : in relation to <an attitude toward life>
3
a : at a point in the direction of : near <a cottage somewhere up toward the lake> b : in such a position as to be in the direction of <your back was toward me>
4
: not long before <toward the end of the afternoon>
5
a : in the way of help or assistance in <did all he could toward raising campaign funds> b : for the partial payment of <proceeds go toward the establishment of a scholarship>
See toward defined for English-language learners
See toward defined for kids
Variants of TOWARD
to·ward or to·wards \ˈtō-ərd(z), ˈtȯ(-ə)rd(z), tə-ˈwȯrd(z), ˈtwȯrd(z), ˈtwōrd(z)\
First Known Use of TOWARD
before 12th century
Related to TOWARD
- Synonyms
- apropos, apropos of, as far as, as for, as regards (also as respects), as to, concerning, of, on, regarding, respecting, touching, about (or towards)
TOWARD[1] Defined for Kids
toward
preposition to·ward \ˈtō-ərd, tə-ˈwȯrd\
Definition of TOWARD for Kids
1
: in the direction of <We're heading toward town.>
2
: along a course leading to <They made efforts toward peace.>
3
: in regard to <I like his attitude toward life.>
4
: so as to face <Their backs were toward me.>
5
: 2near <I awoke toward morning.>
6
: as part of the payment for <She put money toward a new car.>
Variants of TOWARD
to·ward or to·wards \ˈtō-ərdz, tə-ˈwȯrdz\
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