1
a
: near, being at, or belonging to the forepart
the forward section of the main deck
b
: situated in advance
Baggage is carried in the forward cars of the train.
2
3
: notably advanced or developed : precocious
The child is very forward at walking.
4
: moving, tending, or leading toward a position in front
checked the forward movement of the dog
also
: moving toward an opponent's goal
5
6
: of, relating to, or getting ready for the future
forward buying of produce
forwardly
adverb
forwardness
noun
: to or toward what is ahead or in front
from that time forward
moved slowly forward
forwarded; forwarding; forwards
: a player who plays at the front the team's formation near the opponent's goal
a forward in hockey
Examples of forward in a Sentence
Adjective
the forward deck of a boat
the forward movement of history
a very forward young woman
Adverb
Her long hair fell forward as she bent to tie her shoes.
He pushed the throttle forward.
She took a small step forward.
The narrative moves backward and forward in time.
The technology has taken a big step forward.
Verb
Your letter will be forwarded to the appropriate department.
Please forward my mail to my new address.
Recent Examples on the Web
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The fire saw moderate growth on Monday, expanding some 340 acres before crews successfully halted forward progress.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Ryan is looking forward to further collaborating with Incentify's leadership team to provide world-class C&I technology and services solutions to the market.
—Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 4 Apr. 2025
Attendance at games is deemed to include being at the game yourself, using the ticket forwarding scheme for a friend or relative to use your ticket or putting your seat up for resale in the ticket exchange scheme the club runs.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Her brother Josh Penn has played five seasons of professional soccer, most recently as a forward for the Portland Timbers 2 of MLS Next Pro in 2024.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forward
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
April 1, 2025 See more Early Tuesday morning, SpaceX shared a video taken from the open nosecone of Resilience's forward hatch, revealing the spacecraft's domed cupola window with a white-blanketed landmass of one of Earth's poles passing below.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The fire saw moderate growth on Monday, expanding some 340 acres before crews successfully halted forward progress.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
Adverb
At the same time, the college sports industry has aggressively moved forward with the expectation the settlement will soon take effect.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Ryan is looking forward to further collaborating with Incentify's leadership team to provide world-class C&I technology and services solutions to the market.
—Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
The tips were then forwarded to Siloam Springs police.
—Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 4 Apr. 2025
Attendance at games is deemed to include being at the game yourself, using the ticket forwarding scheme for a friend or relative to use your ticket or putting your seat up for resale in the ticket exchange scheme the club runs.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
Dylan Holloway left Thursday’s 5-4 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period with a lower-body injury, and Blues coach Jim Montgomery had no update on the forward.
—Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Her brother Josh Penn has played five seasons of professional soccer, most recently as a forward for the Portland Timbers 2 of MLS Next Pro in 2024.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forward
Cite this Entry
“Forward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forward. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
forward
1 of 4 adjective
for·ward
ˈfȯr-wərd 
1
: near, being at, or belonging to the front part
2
: lacking proper modesty or reserve
3
: moving, tending, or leading to a position in front
forwardly
adverb
forwardness
noun
forward
2 of 4 adverb
: to or toward what is in front
forward
3 of 4 verb1
: to help onward
forward a friend's career
2
: to send on or forward
forward a letter
forward
4 of 4 noun
: a player who plays at the front of the team near the opponent's goal
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