Woodward, Inc.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

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☑ Definitive Proxy Statement

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WOODWARD, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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Corporate Overview

Woodward [NASDAQ: WWD] is the global leader in the design, manufacture, and service of energy conversion and control solutions for the aerospace and industrial equipment markets. Our purpose is to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Our innovative fluid, combustion, electrical, propulsion and motion control systems perform in some of the world’s harshest environments. Woodward is a global company headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. Our focus on growth, innovation and operational excellence continues to fuel our future and create value for our members, customers, communities, and stockholders. Visit our website atwww.woodward.com.

Message from Our Chairman

Dear Stockholder:

Sincerely yours,

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

In order to enable more stockholders to attend the meeting, this year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Woodward, Inc. (“Woodward” or the "Company") will be held virtually at the date and time below. There will be no in-person meeting location. At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the matters set forth in this notice.

Stockholders will also transact other business that properly comes before the meeting, or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNUAL MEETING

Register atwww.proxydocs.com/WWD. Registration ends on January 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Enter the control number listed on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy card, or voting instruction form.

The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Central Time, on January 28, 2026. Stockholders who register to attend will receive an email containing a link to the Annual Meeting one hour prior to the start of the meeting. We encourage you to access the virtual platform prior to the start time to familiarize yourself with the application and ensure that you can hear the streaming audio. You may log into the virtual platform beginning at 7:45 a.m. Central Time, on January 28, 2026.

Holders of Woodward common stock as of the close of business on the record date, December 1, 2025, are entitled to vote at the meeting, or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

We appreciate your continued support of Woodward.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s “Notice and Access” rule enables us to deliver a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to stockholders in lieu of a paper copy of the proxy statement, related materials, and our Annual Report. It contains instructions on how to access our proxy statement and 2025 Annual Report online and how to vote.