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

So the charge is $900 per metric ton of methane in 2024, then $1,200 per metric ton of methane emissions in 2025, and then $1,500 per metric ton of methane emissions from 2026 onward. —Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024

Israel's Wrath of God operations from 1972 onward caused several notable civilian casualties. —David Brennan, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2024

Adjective

If citizens can build political coalitions to reverse the trend toward inequality and preserve the possibility of widespread, meaningful employment, there is every reason to expect that democracy will resume its onward march. —Ronald Inglehart, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2018

The carrier operates routes between several U.S. cities and its major hub in Lisbon, providing onward connections to dozens of destinations in Europe, Africa, and beyond. —Stella Shon, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2024

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