northern

[nawr-thern]

adjective

1. lying toward or situated in the north.

2. directed or proceeding northward.

3. coming from the north, as a wind.

4. Often Northern of or relating to the North, especially the northern United States.

5. Astronomy.,  north of the celestial equator or of the zodiac.

   a northern constellation.

noun

1. a person living in a northern region or country.

2. Northern, a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and a four-wheeled rear truck.

northern

/ ˈnɔːðən /

adjective

1. situated in or towards the north

   northern towns

2. directed or proceeding towards the north

   a northern flow of traffic

3. (esp of winds) proceeding from the north

4. (sometimes capital) of, relating to, or characteristic of the north or North

5. (sometimes capital) astronomy north of the celestial equator

Other Word Forms

• northernness noun
• pro-Northern adjective
• unnorthern adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of northern¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; north, -ern

Example Sentences

The northern Caribbean nations, such as Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic, are among the most at risk of a direct hit.

From BBC

He hired her as a secretary and soon had her helping him and his wife, Mary, dig for fossils at Olduvai Gorge, a famous site in the Serengeti Plains in what is now northern Tanzania.

From Los Angeles Times

However, exploration has identified large swathes of shale gas across the UK, particularly in northern England.

From BBC

However, last month a spokesperson for the Taliban governor in the northern province of Balkh said internet access was being blocked "for the prevention of vices".

From BBC

Most of these showers will come in across northern and western parts of the UK.

From BBC