- rare in progress; afoot
- obsolete about to happen; imminent
- obsolete promising or favourable
- a variant of towards
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
to•ward /tɔrd, twɔrd/USA pronunciation
prep. Also, toˈwards.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- in the direction of:to walk toward the river.
- with a view to having;
for:They're saving money toward a new house. - in the area or vicinity of;
near:They live a little way out toward Northport. - turned to;
facing:turned toward me. - shortly before;
close to:The moon came out toward midnight. - as a help or contribution to:to give money toward a person's expenses.
- with respect to;
as regards:What are your feelings toward gun control?
to•ward
(prep. tôrd, tōrd, tə wôrd′, twôrd, twōrd;adj. tôrd, tōrd),USA pronunciation prep. Also, to•wards′.
adj.
to•ward ′ness, n.
- in the direction of:to walk toward the river.
- with a view to obtaining or having;
for:They're saving money toward a new house. - in the area or vicinity of;
near:Our cabin is toward the top of the hill. - turned to;
facing:Her back was toward me. - shortly before;
close to:toward midnight. - as a help or contribution to:to give money toward a person's expenses.
- with respect to;
as regards:his attitude toward women.
adj.
- about to come soon;
imminent. - going on;
in progress;
afoot:There is work toward. - propitious;
favorable. - [Obs.]
- promising or apt, as a student.
- compliant;
docile.
- bef. 900; Middle English; Old English tōweard. See to, -ward
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
toward adj /ˈtəʊəd/
'toward what place' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):