westerly

¹ American  

[wes-ter-lee] / ˈwɛs tər li /

adjective

1. moving, directed, or situated toward the west.

   the westerly end of the field.

2. (especially of a wind) coming from the west.

   a westerly gale.

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adverb

1. toward the west.

   to escape westerly.

2. from the west.

   a sharp wind blowing westerly.

noun

plural

westerlies

1. a wind that blows from the west.

   an occasional westerly that pommeled the island.

2. (used with a plural verb) westerlies, any semipermanent belt of westerly winds, especially those that prevail at latitudes lying between the tropical and polar regions of the earth.

Westerly ² American  

[wes-ter-lee] / ˈwɛs tər li /

noun

1. a town in SW Rhode Island.

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westerly British  

/ ˈwɛstəlɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated in the west

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adverb

1. towards or in the direction of the west

2. (esp of the wind) from the west

noun

1. a wind blowing from the west

westerly Scientific  

/ wĕs′tər-lē /

1. A wind, especially a prevailing wind, that blows from the west. The prevailing winds in the middle latitudes are westerlies.

2. See illustration at wind

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westerly Cultural  

1. See prevailing westerlies.

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Other Word Forms

• westerliness noun

Etymology

Origin of westerly

1570–80; west + -erly, as in easterly

Example Sentences

Most meteorologists cite weakening westerly disturbances – low-pressure systems from the Mediterranean carrying cold air – as a key reason for reduced rainfall and occasional snow during winter in northern India, Pakistan, and Nepal.

From BBC

Strong and gusty south westerly winds are also expected throughout Sunday, worsening conditions.

From BBC

"Previous studies suggested that global climate change would strengthen the westerly winds over the Southern Ocean, and with that, the overturning circulation too," says Léa Olivier.

From Science Daily

Weather experts say the monsoons in South Asia at times appear to have become stronger because they are increasingly coming into contact with another weather system, the westerly disturbance.

From BBC

However, as it often the case this time of year, as we transition out of summer and into autumn, we're now seeing a more westerly influence to the weather.

From BBC