Earthward means moving or directed toward the Earth or the ground. When a leaf falls earthward from a tree, it drifts down toward the soil below. When skydivers begin their descent, they're plummeting earthward at incredible speeds before opening their parachutes.

The word has a poetic quality that makes it more vivid than simply saying “down” or “toward the ground.” A writer might describe an eagle folding its wings and diving earthward to catch a fish, or meteorites streaking earthward through the atmosphere. You can also see it spelled earthwards with an “s” at the end, which means exactly the same thing.

While we usually think of earthward describing physical movement, it can also suggest a return to practical matters or reality. After daydreaming about adventures in space, you might turn your thoughts earthward and remember that you have homework to finish.