coming after or as a result of

police are hunting for two men following a spate of robberies in the area

a body of supporters or admirers

he attracted a worldwide following

what follows or comes next

the following are both grammatically correct sentences

next in time

the following day there was a ceremony in St Peter's Square

(of a wind) blowing in the same direction as the course of a vessel etc.

go or come after (a person or thing proceeding ahead); move or travel behind

she went back into the house, and Ben followed her

the men followed in another car

come after in time or order

the six years that followed his restoration

the rates are as follows

act according to (an instruction or precept)

he has difficulty in following written instructions

pay close attention to

I've been following this discussion closely

practise (a trade or profession)