homeward

Homeward is an English word used as an adverb and as an adjective to indicate movement toward one's home or origin. As an adverb, it answers the question where to, as in the ship sailed homeward. As an adjective, it can modify nouns such as homeward journey or homeward bound. In British English, the variant homewards is also common.

Origin and form: The word is a compound of the noun home and the directional suffix -ward, meaning toward. It is attested from Middle English and remains productive in modern usage, with the singular and plural adverbial forms both in circulation.

Usage and context: Its usage spans navigation, literature, and everyday speech. In nautical and travel writing, homeward describes movement toward home or a homeland. In poetry and prose, it often conveys return, reunion, or longing. The phrase homeward bound has become a stock expression in popular culture, appearing in songs, films, and broadcasts that emphasize return.

See also: Home, Ward (suffix), -ward as a directional suffix, Homing.