eastern
Americanadjective
-
lying toward or situated in the east.
the eastern half of the island.
-
directed or proceeding toward the east.
an eastern route.
-
coming from the east.
an eastern wind.
-
(often initial capital letter) of or relating to the East in the U.S..
an eastern congressman.
-
(initial capital letter) of or relating to the Eastern Church or to any of the churches comprising it.
-
(usually initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of the East; Oriental.
-
(usually initial capital letter) (formerly) of or relating to the Soviet Union and its allies.
adjective
-
situated in or towards the east
-
facing or moving towards the east
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“It looks like plover habitat was minimally impacted, which is great news,” Travaglio said, pointing to the island’s eastern point, where beaches are closed during the spring and summer to protect the birds’ nesting area.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
On Wednesday heavy showers are expected just about everywhere across the UK with a high chance of some of these being thundery in eastern Scotland and eastern England.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Shang, who is from the eastern province of Zhejiang, chased his obsession with England's David Beckham and Michael Owen to north London where he studied business from 2003 to 2008.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Some 7 million people are displaced within Congo, mostly in the eastern provinces, of which Ituri is one.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026
For the first time, eastern Europeans were included in decision making.
From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
