northeast

[ nawrth-eest; Nautical nawr-eest ]

/ ˌnɔrθˈist; Nautical ˌnɔrˈist /

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noun

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

a region in this direction.

the Northeast, the northeastern part of the United States.

adverb

toward or in the northeast: sailing northeast.

adjective

coming from the northeast: a northeast wind.

directed toward the northeast: a northeast course.

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of northeast

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

OTHER WORDS FROM northeast

northeastern, adjective

Words nearby northeast

Northd, North Dakota, North Dakotan, North Down, North Downs, northeast, northeast by east, northeast by north, Northeast Corridor, northeaster, northeasterly

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

How to use northeast in a sentence

Our forecast was actually a little too low in some areas north and northeast of the Beltway, particularly in Howard County and around Baltimore.
Snow expected tonight, mainly south of D.C., before possible ice on Saturday|Jason Samenow, Wes Junker|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Winds are light from the northeast, with highs only in the upper 20s to low 30s, one of the coldest days of the winter so far.
D.C.-area forecast: Snow and wintry mix taper off this morning, while ice concerns mount for Saturday|David Streit|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Ten miles northeast of Arles, on the way to Saint-Remy and the Luberon hill towns, is the asylum where Van Gogh committed himself after a breakdown.
An art lover’s Impressionist video trip to Provence and the Riviera|Nancy Nathan|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
There, they found that previously identified corridors in the northeast and southeast corners of the state were likely to overlap with significant resistance.
A new mapping method could help humans and wildlife coexist|Philip Kiefer|February 4, 2021|Popular-Science

We also wrongly anticipated that areas to the northeast of the city, including parts of Baltimore County, would get more snow than they did.
How an imperfect snowstorm forecast turned out mostly right|Jason Samenow|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
This approach would greatly limit his appeal beyond the Northeast and the west coast.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The thought was that Nixon would have to look to the Northeast, and he really tried to get Rockefeller on his ticket.
This Republican Loved Taxes & Modern Art|Scott Porch|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To the northeast, FSA brigades are preparing to retreat from a string of towns including Marea and Tell Rifaat.
ISIS and Al Qaeda Ready to Gang Up on Obama's Rebels|Jamie Dettmer|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But now, at last, the Northeast Republican looks set to rise again.
Return of the Northeastern Republican|David Freedlander|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball.
2014 NBA Preview: Skinny LeBron and the Racist Ghost of Donald Sterling|Robert Silverman|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The remaining two-thirds of the Pedal organ and three Tuba stops occupy the northeast quarter gallery in the dome.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
Black clouds gathered over her head, a cold northeast wind blew upon her, and the spray sprinkled her naked feet.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 101, March, 1866|Various
Yonder toward the northeast lay the city, the twilight heavy over it too, but it was not silent.
The Light That Lures|Percy Brebner
The island was some thirteen miles long, lying lengthwise with its head pointing about northeast and the foot southwest.
The Rival Campers Afloat|Ruel Perley Smith
All of the guns northeast, north, and northwest of the town concentrated their fire upon the cemetery.
The Boys of '61|Charles Carleton Coffin.

British Dictionary definitions for northeast (1 of 2)

northeast

/ (ˌnɔːθˈiːst, nautical ˌnɔːrˈiːst) /

noun

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

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

adjective Also: northeastern

(sometimes capital) of or denoting the northeastern part of a specified country, area, etcnortheast Lincolnshire

situated in, proceeding towards, or facing the northeast

(esp of the wind) from the northeast

adverb

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

Symbol: NE

Derived forms of northeast

northeasternmost, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for northeast (2 of 2)

Northeast

/ (ˌnɔːθˈiːst) /

noun

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

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