northeast

1 of 3

adverb

north·​east nȯrth-ˈēst How to pronounce northeast (audio)
nautical
nȯr-ˈēst How to pronounce northeast (audio)
: to, toward, or in the northeast

northeast

2 of 3

adjective

1
: coming from the northeast
a northeast wind
2
: situated toward or at the northeast
the northeast corner

northeast

3 of 3

noun

1
a
: the general direction between north and east
b
: the point midway between the north and east compass points
2
capitalized : regions or countries lying to the northeast of a specified or implied point of orientation

Examples of northeast in a Sentence

Adverb It's a few miles northeast of here. We left the city and headed northeast. Adjective My office is in the northeast corner of the building. Noun A mountain range is in the northeast of the country. Parts of the Northeast were hit hard by the storm. I grew up in the Northeast.
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.
Adverb
The system also impacted areas across northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, with 106 mph winds whipping through Bemidji, Minn., about 100 miles northeast of Fargo. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025 Authorities received information about an individual riding an e-bike about two miles northeast of Boelter's home in Green Isle. Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
In New York, New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties were affected, as was northeast Maryland. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 Additionally, fire crews are being flown in by helicopter and dropped off in difficult to access areas, constructing containment lines on the north and northeast sides. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
Earlier this week, the announcement of a new Trader Joe’s coming to northeast Johnson County sparked outcry on social media from residents north of the river wanting more grocery options, especially in North Kansas City. Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025 The victims — two women and two men — were found in the city's northeast, where authorities also discovered 13 vehicles submerged in water. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for northeast

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of northeast was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Northeast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northeast. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

northeast

1 of 3 adverb
north·​east nȯr-ˈthēst How to pronounce northeast (audio)
nautical
nȯ-ˈrēst How to pronounce northeast (audio)
: to or toward the northeast

northeast

2 of 3 noun
1
: the direction between north and east
2
capitalized : regions or countries northeast of a point that is mentioned or understood

northeast

3 of 3 adjective
1
: placed or lying toward or at the northeast
the northeast corner
2
: coming from the northeast
a northeast wind

More from Merriam-Webster on northeast

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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