down East
Americannoun
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New England.
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the state of Maine.
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Canadian. the Atlantic Provinces.
adverb
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in, to, or into New England.
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in, to, or into the state of Maine.
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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
On the way to his apartment after Friday’s win, Francona ventured down East 4th Street packed with fans celebrating Cleveland’s win.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 8, 2022
We were in the Central Park Zoo, then zooming down East 60th, past Bloomingdale’s, then turning on Third Avenue.
From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
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.
