variants
or less commonly onwards
ˈȯn-wərdz 
ˈän-
: toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time : forward
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
Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The area is home to at least 15 Iron Age ring forts—circular, fortified settlements built up from the fourth century onward.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 28 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for onward
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb
From 1983 onward, U.K. tax authorities have been obliged to consider whether a sweet was normally eaten straight out of the package using fingers, or by other means like a fork, skewer, or tongs.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The area is home to at least 15 Iron Age ring forts—circular, fortified settlements built up from the fourth century onward.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
More than 200 weekly line haul options connect the Chicago gateway with hubs in Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Columbus, as well as 70 onward distribution sites across the country.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 28 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for onward
Cite this Entry
“Onward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onward. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share