northwest

[ nawrth-west; Nautical nawr-west ]

/ ˌnɔrθˈwɛst; Nautical ˌnɔrˈwɛst /

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noun

a point on the compass midway between north and west. Abbreviation: NW

a region in this direction.

the Northwest,

the northwestern part of the United States, especially Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
the northwestern part of the United States when its western boundary was the Mississippi River.
the northwestern part of Canada.

adjective

coming from the northwest: a northwest wind.

directed toward the northwest: sailing a northwest course.

adverb

from the northwest.

toward the northwest: sailing northwest.

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Origin of northwest

before 900; Middle English, Old English; see north, west

OTHER WORDS FROM northwest

northwestern, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use northwest in a sentence

According to Pew, 14 of the 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa have blasphemy laws.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They took cover inside a print works to the north east of Paris, where they held a member of staff as a hostage.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers|Nico Hines|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The new information consisted of Internet protocol addresses that Comey said are “exclusively used” by North Korea.
Was Sony Hit With a Second Hack?|Shane Harris|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
There is, however, a separate wing of AQAP designed to inspire their followers to conduct attacks against the West.
U.S. Spies See Al Qaeda Fingerprints on Paris Massacre|Shane Harris, Nancy A. Youssef|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Current and former intelligence officials have said North Korea has long been a priority target for American spies.
Was Sony Hit With a Second Hack?|Shane Harris|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The volcanic eruptions of the mountains on the west broke down its barriers, and let its waters flow.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
Between South and North, the probabilities of a serious, and no very distant rupture, are strong and manifest.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
When the women came, he was preparing to go to the west side for his daily visit with Mrs. Pruitt.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
The cantonment was split into two sections by an irregular ravine, or nullah, running east and west.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
But you are mistaken in thinking the force west consists of the entire Merrill Horse.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn

British Dictionary definitions for northwest (1 of 3)

northwest

/ (ˌnɔːθˈwɛst, nautical ˌnɔːˈwɛst) /

noun

the point of the compass or direction midway between north and west, 315° clockwise from north

the northwest (often capital) any area lying in or towards this direction

adjective Also: northwestern

(sometimes capital) of or denoting the northwestern part of a specified country, area, etcnorthwest Greenland

adjective, adverb

in, to, towards, or (esp of the wind) from the northwest

Symbol: NW

Derived forms of northwest

northwesternmost, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for northwest (2 of 3)

North West

noun

a province in N South Africa, created in 1994 from the NE part of Cape Province and part of Transvaal: agriculture and service industries. Capital: Mafikeng. Pop: 3 807 469 (2004 est). Area: 116 320 sq km (44 911 sq miles)

British Dictionary definitions for northwest (3 of 3)

Northwest

/ (ˌnɔːθˈwɛst) /

noun the Northwest

the northwestern part of England, esp Lancashire and the Lake District

the northwestern part of the US, consisting of the states of Washington, Oregon, and sometimes Idaho

(in Canada) the region north and west of the Great Lakes

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