toward

to|ward [ tɔrd, tə`wɔrd ] or to|wards [ tɔrdz, tə`wɔrdz ] preposition ***

1. ) in a particular direction used for saying in which direction someone or something is going, facing, or looking:

a stream of traffic speeding toward the city

I saw Joanna hurrying toward me along the sidewalk.

Victor was standing with his back toward me.

She directed a brief glance toward Peter.

a path leading towards the river

2. ) concerning someone/something used when saying how you feel about someone or something or how you treat them:

He's not feeling very friendly toward you at the moment.

the Church's attitude toward divorce

international policy toward Iraq

3. ) nearer to a particular result used for showing how a process is developing in a way that will produce a particular result:

progress toward European unity

Not much has been done toward improving safety.

4. ) near a time or place

a ) a little before a particular time:

I'll call you some time toward the end of the week.

It was toward midnight when finally she sent the children off to bed.

b ) not far from a particular place or position:

Caroline's name appeared toward the bottom of the list.

Toward the edge of the forest there were patches of yellow primroses.

5. ) helping to pay for something if money goes toward something, it helps to pay for it:

The money will go toward building new homes for poor villagers.

I would be happy to contribute a little toward the cost of the gas.