eastern
[ee-stern]
- lying toward or situated in the east: the eastern half of the island.
- directed or proceeding toward the east: an eastern route.
- coming from the east: an eastern wind.
- (often initial capital letter) of or relating to the East in the U.S.: an eastern congressman.
- (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Eastern Church or to any of the churches comprising it.
- (usually initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of the East; Oriental.
- (usually initial capital letter) (formerly) of or relating to the Soviet Union and its allies.
Show More
Origin of eastern
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for eastern
Contemporary Examples
Instead, spa hotels filled up with over 30,000 refugees from the war-troubled Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
On Wednesday, U.S. warplanes targeted a car he was traveling in on the eastern side of the city.
The lawless law enforcement in eastern Ukraine exists somewhere between Soviet rule and vigilante justice.
Similar stories plague many parts of Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Asia.
Since then, conflict has continued to pummel much of the eastern part of the Congo, but Kisangani has remained relatively calm.
Historical Examples
But it was not only in Eastern Europe that his saving influence was felt.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
We go into the court-yard through a vaulted archway on the eastern side.
Yorkshire Painted And DescribedGordon Home
Along the eastern front of these nations it was softened to "Zowie!"
The Trail BookMary Austin
He supposed he was ignorant, according to Eastern standards.
Chip, of the Flying UB. M. Bower
The Eastern end of the Cathedral does not impress the beholder.
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
eastern
- situated in or towards the east
- facing or moving towards the east
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for eastern
adj.
Old English easterne "of the east, from the east; oriental; of the Eastern Orthodox Church; of the eastern part of the globe," from east + -erne, suffix denoting direction. Cf. Old Saxon ostroni, Old High German ostroni, Old Norse austroenn. Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia so called from 1620s.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper