adjective
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of occidental
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin occidentālis western, equivalent to occident- Occident ( def. ) + -ālis -al 1
Explanation
You can use the adjective occidental to describe the Western part of the world, as opposed to Asia and the Middle East. The United States is an occidental country. The word occidental is uncommon these days, in part because it's historically been the opposite of oriental, a term for the Eastern countries of the world, mainly Asia — which has come to be considered offensive (or at least old-fashioned). You won't hurt anyone's feelings by describing Europe or Canada as occidental, though few people will know what you mean. The Latin root, occidentem , means "western sky" or "sunset."
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.
Access to some towns, such as Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental on Mindanao's east side, remains difficult.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
In one video posted by a primary school in Davao Occidental province, dozens of terrified students can be seen squatting on the shaking ground.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
Its January purchase of Occidental Petroleum’s petrochemical business for $9.7 billion was the company’s biggest since 2022.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
When oil prices are higher for longer, it’s the “problem” stocks that tend to benefit most—and few have been as problematic as Houston-based Occidental Petroleum, the U.S.’s fourth-largest oil producer.
From Barron's • May 29, 2026
Gradually, I read most of the old philosophers, Occidental and Oriental.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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.
