onward

1 of 2

adverb

on·​ward ˈȯn-wərd 

ˈän-

variants or less commonly onwards

ˈȯn-wərdz 

ˈän-

: toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time : forward

onward

2 of 2

adjective

: directed or moving onward : forward

Synonyms

Adverb

• ahead
• forth
• forward
• on

Examples of onward in a Sentence

Adverb

They have lived in that house from 1983 onward.

we must continue to move onward, or we will die in this desert

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

And so, as opportunities kept presenting themselves, her time on the road kept stretching onward. —Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025

The forward could have signed a pre-contract agreement with a club based outside the UK from January onwards and those who have achieved Category 1 academy status would need to pay Villa €270,000 (£226,500) in compensation. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Coverage of 95 percent or greater is thought to protect communities from onward spread of the extremely contagious virus. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 Mar. 2025

Those rates are significantly below the 95 percent threshold needed to block the onward community spread of measles—one of the most infectious viruses known to humankind. —Ars Technica, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing onward

• onward and upward

Kids Definition

onward

1 of 2 adverb

on·​ward ˈȯn-wərd 

ˈän-

variants also onwards

-wərdz 

: toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time : forward

kept moving onward

onward

2 of 2 adjective

: directed or moving onward

the onward march of time