toward

(tôrd, tōrd, tə-wôrdˈ)

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.

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.