eastern

American  

[ee-stern] / ˈi stərn /

adjective

1. lying toward or situated in the east.

   the eastern half of the island.

2. directed or proceeding toward the east.

   an eastern route.

3. coming from the east.

   an eastern wind.

4. (often initial capital letter) of or relating to the East in the U.S..

   an eastern congressman.

5. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Eastern Church or to any of the churches comprising it.

6. (usually initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of the East; Oriental.

7. (usually initial capital letter) (formerly) of or relating to the Soviet Union and its allies.

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eastern British  

/ ˈiːstən /

adjective

1. situated in or towards the east

2. facing or moving towards the east

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pro-Eastern
  adjective
• uneastern
  adjective
• noneastern
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of eastern

before 1000; Middle English esterne, Old English ēasterne; akin to Old Norse austroenn, Old High German ōstrōni. See east , -ern

Example Sentences

“I contacted other Eastern European record labels that had music from Russia, Ukraine or other adjacent countries that would’ve been played at that time in that place,” he explains.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Many observers in the 1990s believed that the communist collapse in Central and Eastern Europe would spread globally.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Petrochemical producers received a reprieve from Middle Eastern outages, but China’s excess capacity continues to limit a lasting recovery.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

But the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran has made Spain an attractive alternative compared to Middle Eastern holiday destination Dubai, and countries in the eastern Mediterranean, such as Turkey and Cyprus.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

There was the crack in the shape of Eastern Europe on the ceiling.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser