Fol"low*ing (?), n. 1. One's followers, adherents, or dependents, collectively. Macaulay.

2. Vocation; business; profession.

Fol"low*ing, a. 1. Next after; succeeding; ensuing; as, the assembly was held on the following day.

2. (Astron.) (In the field of a telescope) In the direction from which stars are apparently moving (in consequence of the earth's rotation); as, a small star, north following or south following. In the direction toward which stars appear to move is called preceding.

&fist; The four principal directions in the field of a telescope are north, south, following, preceding.

• coming next, either in sequence or in time
       See the following section.
  
• about to be specified
       The following words have no definition . . .
  
• (of a wind) blowing in the direction of travel
       The following wind sped us on our way.
  
• after, subsequent to
        Following the meeting, we all had a chat.
  
• a group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage
       He had a loyal following.