north-northwest

American  

[nawrth-nawrth-west, nawr-nawr-west] / ˈnɔrθˌnɔrθˈwɛst, ˈnɔrˌnɔrˈwɛst /

noun

1. the point on the compass midway between north and northwest. NNW

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adjective

1. coming from this point.

   a north-northwest wind.

2. directed toward this point.

   a north-northwest course.

adverb

1. toward this point.

   sailing north-northwest.

north-northwest British  

noun

1. the point on the compass or the direction midway between northwest and north, 337° 30′ clockwise from north

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adjective

1. in, from, or towards this direction

Etymology

Origin of north-northwest

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at north, northwest

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

north-northwest

A large, slow-moving storm system tracked north-northwest across the Philippine Sea toward southern Japan from late May into early June 2026.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 3, 2026

It was heading to the north-northwest at 3 mph.

From Washington Times ● May 29, 2022

The rocket will go up from Launch Complex-4 located on south base, base officials said, where the weather forecast currently calls for mostly sunny skies with a north-northwest wind speed of up to 16 mph.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 25, 2022

Forecasters said Teresa was located about 150 miles north-northwest of Bermuda on Saturday morning and will likely be the ninth "shortie" of the hurricane season.

From Fox News ● Sep. 25, 2021

It was about 45 miles north-northwest of Key West and heading west.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers