eastern

[ ee-stern ]

adjective

1. lying toward or situated in the east:

   the eastern half of the island.

2. directed or proceeding toward the east:

   an eastern route.

3. coming from the east:

   an eastern wind.

4. (often initial capital letter) of or relating to the East in the U.S.:

   an eastern congressman.

5. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Eastern Church or to any of the churches comprising it.
6. (usually initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of the East; Oriental.
7. (usually initial capital letter) (formerly) of or relating to the Soviet Union and its allies.

eastern

/ ˈiːstən /

adjective

1. situated in or towards the east
2. facing or moving towards the east

Other Words From

• non·eastern adjective
• pro-Eastern adjective
• un·eastern adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eastern¹

before 1000; Middle English esterne, Old English ēasterne; akin to Old Norse austroenn, Old High German ōstrōni. See east none, -ern none

Example Sentences

In this case, models show a weak zone of low pressure crossing the eastern Great Lakes.

From Washington Post

This had important implications because it put eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and southern New York in the best spot to receive the heaviest snow bands.

From Washington Post

It extends from Carroll County through Montgomery and western Howard counties through the District, eastern Fairfax County and western Prince George’s counties and into eastern Prince William and western Charles counties.

From Washington Post

A city party secretary of the eastern Jiangsu province urged local cadres to “accelerate economic growth with passion.”

From Time

At the end of February 1942, a rumor began circulating around the town of Humenné, in eastern Slovakia.

From Time

Instead, spa hotels filled up with over 30,000 refugees from the war-troubled Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

From The Daily Beast

On Wednesday, U.S. warplanes targeted a car he was traveling in on the eastern side of the city.

From The Daily Beast

The city served as a crossroads for African, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cultures.

From The Daily Beast

The lawless law enforcement in eastern Ukraine exists somewhere between Soviet rule and vigilante justice.

From The Daily Beast

With the harsh Middle Eastern winter approaching fast, what people in Syria and Iraq need most, in fact, is humanitarian support.

From The Daily Beast

The countries about the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and its adjoining waters.

From Project Gutenberg

Nigel found him an excellent fellow, the most sympathetic and energetic man of Eastern blood whom he had ever encountered.

From Project Gutenberg

They told us of their visit to the Great Eastern, what a gigantic ship it was, what a marvel, and described its every feature.

From Project Gutenberg

The Tchuktchi of north-eastern Asia are devoted worshipers of tobacco, and is one of the chief articles of trade with them.

From Project Gutenberg

Yesterday was fixed on, before ordering another engine for the eastern shaft.

From Project Gutenberg