toward

Toward is defined as the direction of, in the position of or in relation to.

(preposition)

An example of toward used as a preposition is in the sentence, "Move toward the door," which means to move near the door.

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See toward in Webster's New World College Dictionary

  1. in the direction of
  2. so as to face; facing
  3. in a manner designed to achieve or along a course likely to result in; in order to get or further: steps toward peace
  4. concerning; regarding; about: a negative attitude toward abstract art
  5. close to or just before (in time): toward daybreak
  6. so as to help pay for: to contribute toward a new library

Origin: ME < OE toweard: see to & -ward

adjective

  1. favorable; propitious
  2. ready to learn; promising
  3. docile; compliant
  4. at hand; imminent
  5. being done; in progress: used predicatively

See toward in American Heritage Dictionary 4

preposition also to·wards (tôrdz, tōrdz, tə-wôrdzˈ)
  1. In the direction of: driving toward home.
  2. In a position facing: had his back toward me.
  3. Somewhat before in time: It began to rain toward morning.
  4. With regard to; in relation to: an optimistic attitude toward the future.
  5. In furtherance or partial fulfillment of: contributed five dollars toward the bill.
  6. By way of achieving; with a view to: efforts toward peace.
adjective (tôrd, tōrd)
  1. Favoring success or a good outcome; propitious.
  2. often towards Happening soon; imminent.
  3. Obsolete Being quick to understand or learn.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English tōweard

Origin: : , to; see to

Origin: + -weard, -ward

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Usage Note: Some critics have tried to discern a semantic distinction between toward and towards, but the difference is entirely dialectal. Toward is more common in American English; towards is the predominant form in British English.

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