language note: In British English, onwards is an adverb and onward is an adjective. In American English and sometimes in formal British English, onward may also be an adverb.
1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Onward means moving forward or continuing a journey.
They have two flights a day to Bangkok, and there are onward flights to Phnom Penh.
Onward is also an adverb.
The bus continued onward.
He measured the distance to the nearest Antarctic coast, and onwards to the SouthPole. [+ to]
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Onward means developing, progressing, or becoming more important over a period of time.
...the onward march of progress in the British aircraft industry.
Onward is also an adverb.
I can see things just going onwards and upwards for us now.
The most important thing now is to move onwards.
3. adverb [from n ADV]
If something happens from a particular time onwards or onward, it begins to happen at that time and continues to happen afterwards.
From the turn of the century onward, she shared the life of the aborigines.
onward in British English
(ˈɒnwəd)
adjective
1.
directed or moving forwards, onwards, etc
adverb
2. a variant of onwards
onward in American English
(ˈɑnwərd)
adverb
1.
toward or at a position or point ahead in space or time; forward
: also ˈonwards
adjective
2.
moving or directed onward or ahead; advancing
an onward trend
Word origin
ME: see on & -ward
Examples of 'onward' in a sentence
onward
Yet the onward march of the middle class should really be applauded.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He now moves onward with little cash on hand and little campaign organization.
Christianity Today (2000)
We wish you a pleasant onward journey.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Spain onward and upward with semi in hand.
The Sun (2012)
The onward march of the modern world means it is harder to find real darkness.
The Sun (2011)
The onward march of inequality continues unchecked.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It said they may be taken to a restaurant off the tourist trail or the geothermal springs before their onward flight.
The Sun (2016)
Thus the onward march of progress.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The men scrambled upward and onward.
The Sun (2015)
You're supposed to be going inward so that you can go onward and therefore upward.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
From here, it has been onward and upward all the way.
Eddison, Sydney A Patchwork Garden: Unexpected Pleasures from a Country Garden (1990)
She has accepted her frailties, but also resisted their onward march.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
On the one side you have those who oppose Europe because it is part of the onward march of globalisation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A producer who had accompanied the pair from Cuba boarded the onward flight with only one other actor under his care.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But although a small advance party carried on to Haiti, the majority could not get clearance for onward flights.
The Sun (2010)
Here, I consider my onward journey.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
All my onward flights would be invalid and I couldn't afford another ticket.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
onward
British English: onward ADJECTIVE
Onward means moving forward or continuing a journey.
There are two flights a day to the capital, and there are onward flights to other towns.