homeward

1 of 2

adverb

home·​ward ˈhōm-wərd How to pronounce homeward (audio)
variants or homewards
ˈhōm-wərdz How to pronounce homeward (audio)
: toward home
… look homeward, angel …—John Milton

homeward

2 of 2

adjective

: being or going in the direction of home

Examples of homeward in a Sentence

Adverb He struggled homeward in the rain.
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Some of the survivors are headed homeward with others soon to follow, though clearly that won’t be happening now. — Erik Kain, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2022 The goal of the Wagner’s board is to keep the players homeward bound instead of leaving for outside travel clubs. — Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 23 Oct. 2019 Three to four dozen chalk-size samples will be sealed in tubes and set aside on Mars to be retrieved by a fetch rover and brought homeward by another rocket ship. — Marcia Dunn, Chron, 18 Feb. 2021 The German army had been badly beaten in a series of battles and was streaming homeward in confusion. — Arthur Herman, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2018 The moment suggests that George will probably soon begin helping his wife fix the house, refocusing his wanderlust vision homeward to improve what is near to him instead. — Jack Butler, National Review, 25 Dec. 2020 When the storm began, a great many private carriages whose occupants had seized time by the forelock and scattered their flowers before the rain began to fall turned homeward not remaining to hear the speeches, music, etc. — Dawn Mitchell, Indianapolis Star, 21 May 2020 Best-known for fighting disease and destitution around the globe, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now turning its attention homeward with a new initiative to help poor Americans move up the economic ladder. — Sandi Doughton, The Seattle Times, 3 May 2018
Adjective
Homeward Bound has a list of about 75 waiting families who are looking for a golden retriever, said Homeward Bound president and founder Jody Jones. — Sammy Caiola, sacbee.com, 9 June 2017

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1566, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of homeward was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing homeward

Browse Nearby Words

home visitor
homeward
homeward bound
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Homeward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeward. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

homeward

adverb
home·​ward
ˈhōm-wərd
variants or homewards
-wərdz
: toward or in the direction of home
homeward adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on homeward

Nglish: Translation of homeward for Spanish Speakers

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