northeast

1 of 3

adverb

north·​east nȯrth-ˈēst How to pronounce northeast (audio)
nautical
nȯr-ˈēst How to pronounce northeast (audio)
: to, toward, or in the northeast

northeast

2 of 3

adjective

1
: coming from the northeast
a northeast wind
2
: situated toward or at the northeast
the northeast corner

northeast

3 of 3

noun

1
a
: the general direction between north and east
b
: the point midway between the north and east compass points
2
Northeast : regions or countries lying to the northeast of a specified or implied point of orientation

Examples of northeast in a Sentence

Adverb It's a few miles northeast of here. We left the city and headed northeast. Adjective My office is in the northeast corner of the building. Noun A mountain range is in the northeast of the country. Parts of the Northeast were hit hard by the storm. I grew up in the Northeast.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
One plume rose to 20,000 feet and drifted northeast over Jakarta, Banten, West Java and nearby waters. — Tatan Syuflana, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 The earthquake's epicenter was about 14 miles northeast of Pinnacles and occurred at a depth of 2 miles. — Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Beginning in the early 1930s, three Americans—Milton Avery, Mark Rothko, and Adolph Gottlieb—began spending summers together on Cape Ann, along the coast of northeast Massachusetts. — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 There is a possibility that the strengthening El Niño weather event creates a mild early winter in northeast Asia which reduces demand, Drinkwater said. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
Authorities said flames spread north and northeast, away from Somersett, with astonishing speed through extremely dry grass and brush. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Shuang is a leading figure in China’s wave of writers chronicling the decline of the country’s industrial northeast. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for northeast

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of northeast was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing northeast

Rhymes for northeast

See All Rhymes for northeast

Browse Nearby Words

North Downs
northeast
northeast by east
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Northeast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northeast. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

northeast

1 of 3 adverb
north·​east nȯr-ˈthēst How to pronounce northeast (audio)
nautical
nȯ-ˈrēst How to pronounce northeast (audio)
: to or toward the northeast

northeast

2 of 3 noun
1
: the direction between north and east
2
capitalized : regions or countries northeast of a point that is mentioned or understood

northeast

3 of 3 adjective
1
: placed or lying toward or at the northeast
the northeast corner
2
: coming from the northeast
a northeast wind
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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