ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d ˈbækwɚd ˈɹiɹ.wɝ d ˈɹiɹ.wɝ d ˈɹiɹ.wɝ d ɹɪˈvɜːs ɹɪˈvɝs at or to or toward the back or rear he moved back tripped when he stepped backward she looked rearward out the window of the car located in or toward the back or rear the chair's rear legs the rear door of the plane on the rearward side directed or moving toward the rear a rearward glance a rearward movement direction toward the rear his outfit marched to the rearward of the tank divisions