eastern

American  

[ee-stern] / ˈi stərn /

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.

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eastern British  

/ ˈiːstən /

adjective

1. situated in or towards the east

2. facing or moving towards the east

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Other Word Forms

• noneastern
  adjective
• pro-Eastern
  adjective
• uneastern
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of eastern

before 1000; Middle English esterne, Old English ēasterne; akin to Old Norse austroenn, Old High German ōstrōni. See east , -ern

Example Sentences

Congo has just one doctor per 10,000 patients, one of the lowest such ratios in the world, and the numbers are even worse in the isolated eastern reaches of the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

Flights resume on April 16, particularly on the eastern and southern perimeters of the island.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

Rubio, a devout Catholic, began his four-day, four-city tour by touring the headquarters of Mother Teresa's charity in the eastern city of Kolkata and praying over her tomb.

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

Faley warns those currently on the front line in eastern DR Congo that there is a risk in warning communities that the current outbreak has no known cure.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Near the lower end, by the eastern shore, he found a huge watch with a chain, and an enormous book.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig