northern

American  

[nawr-thern] / ˈnɔr ðərn /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unnorthern
  adjective
• northernness
  noun
• pro-Northern
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of northern

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

Example Sentences

At the same time, Southern California cities have been investing in projects to capture stormwater and recharge groundwater as they seek to rely less on water imported from Northern California and the Colorado River.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Fishtown took a different trajectory, trending toward the adjacent Northern Liberties area.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Its target on the stock falls to A$21.60 from A$22.30 after an update to Northern Star’s reserves and resources.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Wales and Northern Ireland normally follow the same rules, while Scotland makes its own decisions.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

"You wish to go to the Northern Mountain?"

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin