following

fol·low·ing

Use following in a sentence

adjective

The definition of following is coming next.
An example of following is the 5th grade to the 4th grade.

noun

A following is defined as a group of admirers.
An example of a following is a group of people who love a particular author.

preposition

Following is defined as after.
An example of following used as a preposition is in the sentence, "Following lunch, the children played outside," which means that the children played outside after lunch.

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MLA Style

"following." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/FOLLOWING>.

APA Style

following. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/FOLLOWING

following

that follows; next after: the following year
to be mentioned immediately; to be dealt with next: the following people were chosen
moving in the same direction that a ship is moving: said of the tide or wind

a group of followers or adherents

after: following lunch he left

following Idioms

the following

the one or ones to be mentioned immediately
what follows

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MLA Style

"following." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/FOLLOWING>.

APA Style

following. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/FOLLOWING

following

adjective

Coming next in time or order: in the following chapter.
Now to be enumerated: The following people will report for duty.
Blowing in the same direction as the course of a ship or aircraft. Used of wind.

noun

A group or gathering of admirers, adherents, or disciples: a lecturer with a large following.
The item or items to be mentioned next: Please buy the following: milk, bread, and eggs.

preposition

Subsequent to; after: Following dinner, brandy was served in the study.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"following." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/FOLLOWING>.

APA Style

following. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/FOLLOWING

Adjective

(not comparable)

Coming next, either in sequence or in time.
See the following section.
About to be specified.
The following words have no definition […]
(of a wind) Blowing in the direction of travel.
The following wind sped us on our way.

Usage notes

(Senses 1, 2) When it modifies a noun phrase, it is generally preceded by the definite article the, and the combination functions as a determiner rather than a simple adjective. You can put it before a cardinal like the following two remarks instead of the two following remarks.

Preposition

After, subsequent to.
Following the meeting, we all had a chat.

Noun

(plural followings)

A group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage.
He had a loyal following.
Something to be mentioned immediately later. Used with the definite article the.
The following is a recommendation letter from the president.
Vocation; business; profession.