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

Gusty winds will also impact the Plains and ramp up a widespread fire threat, especially from the late afternoon onward. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025

The Census Bureau started collecting data in 1850 and has tracked immigrant arrivals through the boom in the early 1900s, the bust in middle of the century, and then a steady rise from the 1970s onward. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Already, rates of routine childhood vaccination in kindergartners across the nation have slipped into the range of 92 percent, woefully below the 95 percent threshold to prevent onward disease spread. —Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025

According to Radio France Internationale, missile-maker MBDA has been restoring expired French air force SCALP-EG for onward transfer to Ukraine. —David Axe, Forbes, 23 Oct. 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