Follow Definition

follow |ˈfälō|verb [ with obj. ]1 go or come after (a person or thing proceeding ahead); move or travel behind: she went back into the house, and Ben followed her | [ no obj. ] : he was following behind in his car.• go after (someone) in order to observe or monitor: the KGB man followed her everywhere.• archaic strive after; aim at: I follow fame.• go along (a route or path).• (of a route or path) go in the same direction as or parallel to (another):the road follows a hidden sweetwater brook.2 come after in time or order: the six years that followed his restoration | [ no obj.] : the rates are as follows .• happen after (something else) as a consequence: raucous laughter followed the ribald remark | [ no obj. ] : retribution soon followed.• [ no obj. ] be a logical consequence: it thus follows from this equation that the value must be negative.• [ with obj. ] (of a person) do something after (something else): he followshis surprise hit movie with a paranoid thriller.• (often be followed by) have (a dish or course) after another or others in a meal: turkey was followed by dessert.3 act according to (an instruction or precept): he has difficulty in following written instructions.• conform to: the film faithfully follows Shakespeare's plot.• act according to the lead or example of (someone): he follows Aristotle in believing this.• treat as a teacher or guide: those who seek to follow Jesus Christ.4 pay close attention to (something): I've been following this discussion closely.• keep track of; trace the movement or direction of: she followed his gaze, peering into the gloom.• maintain awareness of the current state or progress of (events in a particular sphere or account): young Italians follow football.• (of a person or account) be concerned with the development of (something): the book follows the life and career of Henry Clay.• understand the meaning or tendency of (a speaker or argument): I still don't follow you.5 practice (a trade or profession).• undertake or carry out (a course of action or study): she followed a strict diet.