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north-northwest

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

noun

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


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

"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

adjective

  1. in, from, or towards this direction

"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

Etymology

Origin of north-northwest

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

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.

And in map view, features on either side of the Seattle fault zone angle away from each other; north of the Seattle fault zone, structures are angled north-northwest, while in the south, they're oriented north-northeast.

From Science Daily • Feb. 6, 2024

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

From Washington Times • May 29, 2022

Sunday’s pole shootout calls for a high temperature of 64 degrees, winds coming out of the north-northwest and a 60% chance of rain.

From Seattle Times • May 19, 2022

The Miami-based NHC expected Nora to continue moving north-northwest on Sunday in its latest advisory and then move slower northwest through Tuesday.

From Reuters • Aug. 29, 2021

I've been traveling vaguely north-northwest for two days.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

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