onto

1 of 2

preposition

on·​to ˈȯn-(ˌ)tü 

ˈän-

1

: to a position on

We climbed onto the roof.

Turn left onto Fifth Avenue.

2

: in or into a state of awareness about

put me onto your methods

was onto something that should have been pursued further

—Bosley Crowther

3

—used as a function word to indicate a set each element of which is the image of at least one element of another set

a function mapping the set S onto the set T

onto

2 of 2

adjective

: mapping elements in such a way that every element in one set is the image of at least one element in another set

a function that is one-to-one and onto

Examples of onto in a Sentence

Preposition

We climbed onto the building's roof.

The book fell onto the floor.

The water spilled onto the floor.

The cowboy leaped onto his horse.

Transfer the data onto a disk.

Turn left onto Third Street at the traffic light.

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

If the results stand, Hilton will remain as the only incumbent councilmember who held onto his seat this election. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

A couple has been injured at an air-guitar concert (yes, seriously) where the air-guitar hero climbed the scaffolding during a performance then fell onto his girlfriend in the crowd. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

Incumbent expected to hold onto treasurer seat Republican John Allen is expected to keep the Treasurer's Office after winning his primary in July. County treasurers act as the county tax collector and safeguard the county's money. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

All nine Indiana seats were up for election this year, and the six incumbents who did run for reelection held onto their seats. —Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Preposition

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1942, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing onto

• build onto
• fasten onto
• get on/onto the subject of
• get onto
• give onto
• latch onto
• lock onto
• map onto
• onto something
• project onto
• stumble across/on/onto/upon
• voted on/onto

Kids Definition

onto

preposition

on·​to

ˌȯn-tə,

ˌän-;

ˈȯn-tü,

ˈän-

1

: to a position on or against

leaped onto the horse

climbed onto the roof

2

: in a state of knowing about or becoming aware of

I'm onto their little game