following

1 of 4

adjective

fol·​low·​ing ˈfä-lə-wiŋ How to pronounce following (audio)
Synonyms of followingnext
1
: being next in order or time
the following day
2
: listed or shown next
trains will leave at the following times

following

2 of 4

noun

: a group of followers, adherents, or partisans

following

3 of 4

preposition

: subsequent to
following the lecture tea was served

following

4 of 4

present participle of follow entry 1

Synonyms of following

Relevance

Adjective

Noun

Preposition

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of following in a Sentence

Adjective She found a good job, and moved into a new house the following year. We met again the following day. Trains will leave at the following times: 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. If you have questions or comments, please write to us at the following address: P.O. Box 234,…. Noun The band has a large and devoted following in Japan. The movement quickly gained a following among young people. Preposition Following the lecture, refreshments were served. We were tired for a few days following our trip.
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.
Adjective
Geno Segers is breaking his silence after being fired from Broadway’s Hadestown following backlash over resurfaced transgender comments. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026 Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
Noun
Considering the expense of operating it, only musical groups with massive followings can sustain a residency here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026 Joe Hegyes has gained a following for his Gen-Z version of the character, first portraying her in an online sketch in August 2020. — Moises Mendez Ii, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Preposition
Trump’s request will likely now no longer be considered relevant following Monday’s order. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Campbell appeared emotional following Wednesday’s hearing. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for following

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1841, in the meaning defined above

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

Phrases Containing following

Rhymes for following

See All Rhymes for following

Browse Nearby Words

followership
following
following sea
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/following. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

following

1 of 3 adjective
fol·​low·​ing ˈfäl-ə-wiŋ How to pronounce following (audio)
1
: being next in order or time
the following day
2
: listed or shown next

following

2 of 3 noun
: a group of followers

following

3 of 3 preposition
: immediately after

More from Merriam-Webster on following

Nglish: Translation of following for Spanish Speakers

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