westerly
moving, directed, or situated toward the west: the westerly end of the field.
(especially of a wind) coming from the west: a westerly gale.
toward the west: to escape westerly.
from the west: a sharp wind blowing westerly.
a wind that blows from the west: an occasional westerly that pommeled the island.
westerlies, (used with a plural verb) any semipermanent belt of westerly winds, especially those that prevail at latitudes lying between the tropical and polar regions of the earth.
Origin of westerly
1Other words from westerly
- west·er·li·ness, noun
Words Nearby westerly
Other definitions for Westerly (2 of 2)
a town in SW Rhode Island.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use westerly in a sentence
North and westerly breezes stay very light until a noticeable gust or two possible nearer sunset.
D.C.-area forecast: Increasingly comfortable as we head into the weekend | A. Camden Walker | July 30, 2021 | Washington PostThe area’s prevailing westerly winds then bring all that moist air ashore as low-level clouds — fog with occasional drizzle — that usually burns off as temperatures rise throughout the morning.
U.S. Open start delayed as ‘June Gloom’ descends on Torrey Pines | Matt Bonesteel | June 17, 2021 | Washington PostUpper 80s to low 90s are possible, with a westerly breeze near 5 mph not being quite refreshing enough to offset some of this summer resurgence, arguably.
D.C.-area forecast: A few strong storms (again) possible today before a drier weekend | A. Camden Walker | June 4, 2021 | Washington PostCalming westerly breezes help us feel less cold, in conjunction with milder low temperatures bottoming out before dawn in the upper 30s to mid-40s.
D.C.-area forecast: More springlike in the days ahead. Rain chances arrive late Saturday. | A. Camden Walker | April 23, 2021 | Washington PostHigh temperatures are in the upper 70s to low 80s but westerly winds gust near 50 mph as sustained winds approach 30 mph for a time.
D.C.-area forecast: Wind advisory accompanies today’s warmth. Tomorrow’s a gem. | A. Camden Walker | March 26, 2021 | Washington Post
Strong easterly winds drove the fire down the westerly slopes of the Carmel Range.
The sun was printing over the floor the shadow skeleton of the juniper-tree by the westerly window.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydBut from south-westerly winds, were no further advanced by the 8th than the meridian of Cape Chatham.
Among the Northumberland Islands, we have experienced westerly winds, but they blew in light breezes with fine weather.
The westerly wind turned out very light, and without a good sailing breeze racing becomes peaceful repose.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.There was a soft westerly breeze at the time, which gave a short beat out to the Needles.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.
British Dictionary definitions for westerly
/ (ˈwɛstəlɪ) /
of, relating to, or situated in the west
towards or in the direction of the west
(esp of the wind) from the west
a wind blowing from the west
Derived forms of westerly
- westerliness, noun
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
Scientific definitions for westerly
[ wĕs′tər-lē ]
A wind, especially a prevailing wind, that blows from the west. The prevailing winds in the middle latitudes are westerlies. See illustration at wind.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for westerly
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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