1. 1. In a direction toward so as to reach: went to the city.
   2. Towards: turned to me.
2. 1. Reaching as far as: The ocean water was clear all the way to the bottom.
   2. To the extent or degree of: loved him to distraction.
   3. With the resultant condition of: nursed her back to health.
3. Toward a given state: helping minority women to economic equality.
4. In contact with; against: their faces pressed to the windows.
5. In front of: stood face to face.
6. Used to indicate appropriation or possession: looked for the top to the jar.
7. Concerning; regarding: waiting for an answer to my letter.
8. In a particular relationship with: The brook runs parallel to the road.
9. As an accompaniment or a complement of: danced to the tune.
10. Composing; constituting: two cups to a pint.
11. In accord with: job responsibilities suited to her abilities.
12. As compared with: a book superior to his others.
13. 1. Before: The time is ten to five.
    2. Up till; until: worked from nine to five.
14. 1. For the purpose of: went out to lunch.
    2. In honor of: a toast to the queen.
15. 1. Used before a verb to indicate the infinitive: I'd like to go.
    2. Used alone when the infinitive is understood: Go if you want to.
16. 1. Used to indicate the relationship of a verb with its complement: refer to a dictionary; refer me to a dictionary.
    2. Used with a reflexive pronoun to indicate exclusivity or separateness: had the plane to ourselves.

1. In one direction; toward a person or thing: owls with feathers wrong end to.
2. Into a shut or closed position: pushed the door to.
3. Into a state of consciousness: The patient came to.
4. Into a state of action or attentiveness: sat down for lunch and fell to.
5. Nautical. Into the wind.

[Middle English, from Old English tō.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.