nor'easter

American  

[nawr-ee-ster] / ˌnɔrˈi stər /

noun

Meteorology.

1. an eastern North American storm that usually develops between the Georgia and New Jersey latitudes, progressing northeastward and typified by potentially violent northeast winds: most frequent and intense from September through April, nor’easters can develop within a hundred miles of the east coast and commonly bring heavy rain or snow and coastal damage.

   The nor’easter of 1992 breached the island and destroyed many homes.

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Etymology

Origin of nor'easter

First recorded in 1830–40; by shortening of northeaster

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nor'easter

Desperate, he led his army back across the Delaware River through a howling nor’easter on Christmas night to attack the surprised Hessian garrison at Trenton, N.J.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

Mayor Zohran Mamdani was forced by this nor’easter to make an even more concerted push this week, expanding their ranks and even bumping up their pay, as of Monday, from $19 an hour to $30.

From Slate ● Feb. 24, 2026

This nor’easter is sitting over the open water of the Atlantic Ocean, south of Long Island and Cape Cod, and the winds are blowing from the northeast toward the southwest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 23, 2026

New York Gov Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the whole state ahead of the nor'easter storm and activated about 100 members of the National Guard.

From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2026

A nor’easter howled in from the Atlantic, bringing rain that changed to sleet and then to snow.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham