Definition of forward

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for·ward    (fôrwrd) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. 1. At, near, or belonging to the front or forepart; fore: the forward section of the aircraft.
   2. Located ahead or in advance: kept her eye on the forward horizon.
2. 1. Going, tending, or moving toward a position in front: a forward plunge down a flight of stairs.
   2. Sports Advancing toward an opponent's goal.
   3. Moving in a prescribed direction or order for normal use: forward rolling of the cassette tape.
3. 1. Ardently inclined; eager.
   2. Lacking restraint or modesty; presumptuous or bold: a forward child.
4. 1. Being ahead of current economic, political, or technological trends; progressive: a forward concept.
   2. Deviating radically from convention or tradition; extreme.
5. Exceptionally advanced; precocious.
6. Of, relating to, or done in preparation for the future: bidding on forward contracts for corn.

ADVERB:
or for·wards  (-wrdz) KEY 

1. Toward or tending to the front; frontward: step forward.
2. Into consideration: put forward a new proposal.
3. In or toward the future: looking forward to seeing you.
4. 1. In the prescribed direction or sequence for normal use: rolled the tape forward.
   2. In an advanced position or a configuration registering a future time: set the clock forward.
   3. At or to a different time; earlier or later: moved the appointment forward, from Friday to Thursday.

NOUN:
Sports

1. A player in certain games, such as basketball, soccer, or hockey, who is part of the forward line of the offense.
2. The position played by such a person.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
for·ward·ed, for·ward·ing, for·wards

1. To send on to a subsequent destination or address. See Synonyms at send¹.
2. To help advance; promote. See Synonyms at advance.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old English foreweard : fore-, fore- + -weard, -ward

OTHER FORMS:
forward·ly(Adverb), forward·ness(Noun)