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 Word Forms

• noneastern adjective
• pro-Eastern adjective
• uneastern 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 , -ern

Example Sentences

But Yevhen, a drone operator in eastern Ukraine, thinks the presence of foreign troops in the country is an important security guarantee.

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Everything goes on as usual along a busy boulevard in eastern Caracas.

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Following the strikes, Hamas said the army's westward push of the yellow line and continued bombardment of eastern Gaza amounted to a "blatant breach" of the agreement.

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Every spring, the familiar songs of Wood Thrushes and warblers drift back into parks and neighborhoods across eastern North America.

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It appeared first in 2023, infecting birds and mammals in eastern Canada.

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