eastern
Americanadjective
-
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.
adjective
-
situated in or towards the east
-
facing or moving towards the east
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“For decades, people have been asking why public agencies can’t buy some of these lots in eastern Malibu, but historically, it’s been a wall of houses,” Moddelmog said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
Similarly, wetter-than-average weather is expected in parts of eastern Africa, southern Brazil and the southern US, raising the chances of flooding.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
Panama has declared an emergency over El Nino, which raises surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and causes global changes in winds and rainfall as well as erratic weather conditions.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
On September 26, the Harvest Moon becomes the main attraction, rising in the eastern sky shortly after sunset.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026
Her brother had gone out to Montana himself and assured her this was the text any homesteader must have for farming in eastern prairie country.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
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.
