west
a cardinal point of the compass, 90° to the left when facing north, corresponding to the point where the sun is seen to set. Abbreviation: W
the direction in which this point lies.
(usually initial capital letter) a region or territory situated in this direction, especially the western part of the U.S., as distinguished from the East: a vacation trip through the West.
the West,
the western part of the world, as distinguished from the East or Orient; the Occident.
the non-Communist countries of Western Europe and the Americas.
directed or proceeding toward the west.
coming from the west: a west wind.
lying toward or situated in the west.
Ecclesiastical. designating, lying toward, or in that part of a church opposite to and farthest from the altar.
to, toward, or in the west: The car headed west.
from the west: The wind blew west.
Idioms about west
go west, Informal. to die.
Origin of west
1Other definitions for West (2 of 3)
Benjamin, 1738–1820, U.S. painter, in England after 1763.
Jerome Alan "Jerry", born 1938, U.S. basketball player, coach, and executive.
Mae, 1893–1980, U.S. actress.
Nathanael Nathan Wallenstein Weinstein, 1902?–40, U.S. novelist.
Paul, 1930–2015, U.S. poet, essayist, and novelist, born in England.
Dame Rebecca Cicily Isabel Fairfield Andrews, 1892–1983, English novelist, journalist, and critic, born in Ireland.
Other definitions for West. (3 of 3)
western.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use west in a sentence
At James Wests sale the price had considerably advanced, and thirty-four Caxtons realised 361, 4s.
Prices of Books | Henry B. WheatleySome difference between old man Wests kid and the Boyville School boys, isnt there?
Joan of the Journal | Helen Diehl OldsBy the burning wing, which was Mr. Wests library, were three lines of boys, clad in khaki uniforms.
Joan of the Journal | Helen Diehl OldsThere were in it many really excellent pictures, even a first-class Murillo, besides Wests and Allstons.
Memoirs | Charles Godfrey LelandYeardley elected to describe it thus to emphasize that it did not conflict with any claims of the Wests at Westover.
The First Seventeen Years: Virginia 1607-1624 | Charles E. Hatch
British Dictionary definitions for west (1 of 3)
/ (wɛst) /
one of the four cardinal points of the compass, 270° clockwise from north and 180° from east
the direction along a parallel towards the sunset, at 270° clockwise from north
the west (often capital) any area lying in or towards the west: Related adjectives: Hesperian, Occidental
cards (usually capital) the player or position at the table corresponding to west on the compass
situated in, moving towards, or facing the west
(esp of the wind) from the west
in, to, or towards the west
archaic (of the wind) from the west
go west informal
to be lost or destroyed irrevocably
to die
Origin of west
1- Symbol: W
British Dictionary definitions for West (2 of 3)
/ (wɛst) /
the western part of the world contrasted historically and culturally with the East or Orient; the Occident
(formerly) the non-Communist countries of Europe and America contrasted with the Communist states of the East: Compare East (def. 2)
(in the US)
that part of the US lying approximately to the west of the Mississippi
(during the Colonial period) the region outside the 13 colonies, lying mainly to the west of the Alleghenies
(in the ancient and medieval world) the Western Roman Empire and, later, the Holy Roman Empire
of or denoting the western part of a specified country, area, etc
(as part of a name): the West Coast
British Dictionary definitions for West (3 of 3)
/ (wɛst) /
Benjamin. 1738–1820, US painter, in England from 1763
Kanye, born 1977, US rap singer and producer; his albums include The College Dropout (2004) and Graduation (2007)
Mae. 1892–1980, US film actress
Nathanael, real name Nathan Weinstein. 1903–40, US novelist: author of Miss Lonely-Hearts (1933) and The Day of the Locust (1939)
Dame Rebecca, real name Cicily Isabel Andrews (née Fairfield). 1892–1983, British journalist, novelist, and critic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with west
see go west.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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