downward Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
    down.
    • the down staircase
    • the downward course of the stream
  2. adjective satellite on or toward a surface regarded as a base
    • he lay face downward
    • the downward pull of gravity
  3. adverb spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position
    down; downwards; downwardly.
    • don't fall down
    • rode the lift up and skied down
    • prices plunged downward

WordNet

Down"ward, Down"wards adverb (Also<
  • Downward
  • Downwards
)
Etymology
AS. adnweard. See Down, adv., and -ward.
Definitions
  1. From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course; as, to tend, move, roll, look, or take root, downward or downwards. "Looking downwards." Pope.
    Their heads they downward bent. Drayton.
  2. From a higher to a lower condition; toward misery, humility, disgrace, or ruin.
    And downward fell into a groveling swine. Milton.
  3. From a remote time; from an ancestor or predecessor; from one to another in a descending line.
    A ring the county wears, That downward hath descended in his house, From son to son, some four or five descents. Shak.
Down"ward adjective
Definitions
  1. Moving or extending from a higher to a lower place; tending toward the earth or its center, or toward a lower level; declivous.
    With downward force That drove the sand along he took his way. Dryden.
  2. Descending from a head, origin, or source; as, a downward line of descent.
  3. Tending to a lower condition or state; depressed; dejected; as, downward thoughts. Sir P. Sidney.

Webster 1913