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

• northernness noun
• pro-Northern adjective
• unnorthern adjective

Etymology

Origin of northern

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

Example Sentences

Reigning Swiss champions Basel said they were interested in making more use of the venue in the northern city and carefully reviewed all enquiries.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

CNN stationed a reporter at Dulles Airport in northern Virginia to send live updates from the runway where his flight was scheduled to land.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

The findings add to growing evidence that small, protected areas known as "microrefugia" allowed temperate plant species to survive harsh Ice Age conditions in northern Europe.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026

What began about a week ago as small, mostly peaceful protests across northern India has since escalated, turning violent in some areas.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

She glanced at the images in the northern doorway—the massive dark shape looming over Percy and Annabeth.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan