due to

preposition

Synonyms of due tonext
: as a result of : because of
due to the complaints of uptight parents … he lost his job …Herbert Gold
Using Due to: Usage Guide

The objection to due to as a preposition is only a continuation of disagreements that began in the 18th century over the proper uses of owing and due. Due to is as grammatically sound as owing to, which is frequently recommended in its place. It has been and is used by reputable writers and has been recognized as standard for decades. There is no solid reason to avoid due to.

Examples of due to in a Sentence

evening classes were cancelled due to heavy snow
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.
This isn’t unusual for the agency; in April, USPS raised prices by 8% due to higher fuel costs. Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Indonesia has pledged to keep subsidized fuel prices unchanged through 2026, which may strain the budget if oil prices rise again due to supply disruptions or a worsening of military confrontations. Celestine Iyer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, are already enrolled in British schools for the coming term, which is due to start in September. Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 First and most obviously, Democrats are hoping to gain as many as five California seats in the House of Representatives due to a partisan gerrymander of the state’s 52 districts last year. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for due to

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of due to was in 1897

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Due to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/due%20to. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

due to

preposition
: because of
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