northwestward

American  

[nawrth-west-werd, nawr-west-werd] / ˌnɔrθˈwɛst wərd, ˌnɔrˈwɛst wərd /

adverb

1. Also northwestwardly. toward the northwest.

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noun

1. the northwest.

northwestward British  

/ ˌnɔːθˈwɛstwəd, ˌnɔːˈwɛstwəd /

adjective

1. towards or (esp of a wind) from the northwest

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noun

1. a direction towards or area in the northwest

Other Word Forms

• northwestwardly
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of northwestward

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at northwest, -ward

Example Sentences

Some piers sheltered from the typical northwestward storm now get barraged from all angles.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2024

As rich moisture surged northwestward, the outlook was “already very unstable,” said Ryan Jewell, a forecaster at the Weather Prediction Center of the Weather Service.

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2024

It was forecast to move away from the northern Philippines on Thursday and barrel northwestward to graze past Taiwan’s southwestern coast before hitting southeastern China later this week.

From Washington Times • Jul. 26, 2023

The crust and mantle that comprise the Pacific Plate cracks at different places as it moves northwestward.

From Scientific American • Dec. 1, 2022

On the next day a further force was placed opposite Chauny, and other French troops were ordered to extend their lines northwestward, keeping in touch with the retiring British right.

From Current History: A Monthly Magazine of the New York Times, May 1918 Vol. VIII, Part I, No. 2 by Various