northeast

[nawrth-eest, nawr-eest]

noun

1. a point on the compass midway between north and east. NE

2. a region in this direction.

3. the Northeast, the northeastern part of the United States.

adverb

1. toward or in the northeast.

   sailing northeast.

adjective

1. coming from the northeast.

   a northeast wind.

2. directed toward the northeast.

   a northeast course.

northeast

¹

/ ˌnɔːθˈiːst, ˌnɔːrˈiːst /

noun

1. the point of the compass or direction midway between north and east, 45° clockwise from north

2. (often capital) any area lying in or towards this direction

adjective

1. (sometimes capital) of or denoting the northeastern part of a specified country, area, etc

   northeast Lincolnshire

2. situated in, proceeding towards, or facing the northeast

3. (esp of the wind) from the northeast

adverb

1. in, to, towards, or (esp of the wind) from the northeast

Northeast

²

/ ˌnɔːθˈiːst /

noun

1. the northeastern part of England, esp Northumberland, Durham, and the Tyneside area

Other Word Forms

• northeastern adjective
• northeasternmost adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of northeast¹

before 950; Middle English, Old English; north, east

Example Sentences

But Boko Haram has since splintered and been largely confined to the Muslim-dominated villages of the far northeast, where few Christians remain.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Escape attempts from the largest detention camp in northeast Syria, Al Hol, have increased this year.

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As Bill Plaschke waxes nostalgic, the rest of us slog down the 10 Freeway from Westwood, through downtown, up into the far northeast corner of L.A., to the antiquated monument that is the Rose Bowl.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Although bandits have no ideological leanings and are motivated by financial gain, their increasing alliance with jihadists from the northeast has been a source of concern for authorities and security analysts.

Read more on Barron's

Mount Vernon, about 40 miles northeast of Columbus, greets visitors with a road sign declaring “America’s hometown.”

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