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

They have lived for centuries on the semi-arid peninsula of La Guajira in the northeast of the country, and extend into neighbouring Venezuela.

From BBC

The Landers earthquake had an epicenter more than 25 miles northeast of Palm Springs, and resulted in severe shaking in Yucca Valley, and strong shaking in Twentynine Palms, according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.

From Los Angeles Times

In northeast Los Angeles, these zones overlap with transit stops in multiple places.

From Los Angeles Times

The hilly and relatively remote northeast region remains India's cancer hotspot, with Mizoram's Aizawl district recording lifetime risks twice the national average.

From BBC

In late July, Richard Quinones saw a woman lying in a ditch near the trolley tracks in Lemon Grove, northeast of San Diego.

From Los Angeles Times