toward

UK: /təˈwɔː^rd/

US: /tɔrd, twɔrd/

US: (prep. tôrd, tōrd, tə wôrd′, twôrd, twōrd; adj. tôrd, tōrd)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

to•ward /tɔrd, twɔrd/   prep. Also, toˈwards. 

1. in the direction of:
   to walk toward the river.
2. with a view to having;
   for:
   They're saving money toward a new house.
3. in the area or vicinity of;
   near:
   They live a little way out toward Northport.
4. turned to;
   facing:
   turned toward me.
5. shortly before;
   close to:
   The moon came out toward midnight.
6. as a help or contribution to:
   to give money toward a person's expenses.
7. with respect to;
   as regards:
   What are your feelings toward gun control?

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

to•ward  (prep. tôrd, tōrd, tə wôrd′, twôrd, twōrd;adj. tôrd, tōrd), prep. Also, to•wards′.

1. in the direction of:
   to walk toward the river.
2. with a view to obtaining or having;
   for:
   They're saving money toward a new house.
3. in the area or vicinity of;
   near:
   Our cabin is toward the top of the hill.
4. turned to;
   facing:
   Her back was toward me.
5. shortly before;
   close to:
   toward midnight.
6. as a help or contribution to:
   to give money toward a person's expenses.
7. with respect to;
   as regards:
   his attitude toward women.

adj. 

8. about to come soon;
   imminent.
9. going on;
   in progress;
   afoot:
   There is work toward.
10. propitious;
    favorable.
11. [Obs.]
    • promising or apt, as a student.
    • compliant;
      docile.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English tōweard. See to, -ward

to•ward ′ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

toward adjective / ˈtəʊəd/

1. in progress; afoot
2. about to happen; imminent
3. promising or favourable

preposition / təˈwɔːd tɔːd/

1. a variant of towards

Etymology: Old English tōweard; see to, -ward

ˈtowardness noun