northern

[ nawr-thern ]

adjective

1. lying toward or situated in the north.
2. directed or proceeding northward.
3. coming from the north, as a wind.
4. Often Northern. of or relating to the North, especially the northern United States.
5. Astronomy. north of the celestial equator or of the zodiac:

   a northern constellation.

noun

1. a person living in a northern region or country.
2. Northern, a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and a four-wheeled rear truck.

northern

/ ˈnɔːðən /

adjective

1. situated in or towards the north

   northern towns

2. directed or proceeding towards the north

   a northern flow of traffic

3. (esp of winds) proceeding from the north
4. sometimes capital of, relating to, or characteristic of the north or North
5. sometimes capital astronomy north of the celestial equator

Other Words From

• northern·ness noun
• pro-Northern adjective
• un·northern adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of northern¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; north, -ern

Example Sentences

It’s hard not to consider humankind’s own future in this region-unspecified, newly aquatic land where mountaintops are islands, northern lights dazzle and finger-like towers that seem man-made dot the background.

From Los Angeles Times

"Each test is specific to a different snake species and was designed to detect DNA from the Burmese python, northern African rock python, rainbow boa and boa constrictor, ensuring no cross-detection among species."

From Science Daily

On Thursday, rain poured across the northern edge of the state, slowly moving south.

From Los Angeles Times

The condition has also been given the name "the Viking disease" as it is more common in those from northern Europe, or of northern European descent.

From BBC

Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said there are likely to be "heavy" outbreaks of rain throughout Saturday, "falling as snow" at times across northern parts of England and parts of Scotland.

From BBC