down East
Americannoun
-
New England.
-
the state of Maine.
-
Canadian. the Atlantic Provinces.
adverb
-
in, to, or into New England.
-
in, to, or into the state of Maine.
-
Canadian. in, to, or into the Atlantic Provinces.
Etymology
Origin of down East
An Americanism dating back to 1810–20
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.
Remember the dockworker strike two years ago orchestrated by the International Longshoreman’s Association that shut down East and Gulf Coast ports?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026
In light traffic, we made our way past Lewiston High, down East Avenue and Lisbon Street, Lewiston Strong stickers adorning the rear windshields of many cars.
From Slate ● Dec. 4, 2024
Capitol down East Capitol Street, according to a profile in Omaha Magazine.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 7, 2023
Witnesses described seeing teenagers running from the scene and also said a male suspect fled down East Jefferson Street, according to Seattle police.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 3, 2021
They’d walked along the great curve of the harbors known as the Lid, then down East Stave to see all the gambling palaces.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
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.
