eastern

[ ee-stern ]

adjective

1. lying toward or situated in the east:

   the eastern half of the island.

2. directed or proceeding toward the east:

   an eastern route.

3. coming from the east:

   an eastern wind.

4. (often initial capital letter) of or relating to the East in the U.S.:

   an eastern congressman.

5. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Eastern Church or to any of the churches comprising it.
6. (usually initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of the East; Oriental.
7. (usually initial capital letter) (formerly) of or relating to the Soviet Union and its allies.

eastern

/ ˈiːstən /

adjective

1. situated in or towards the east
2. facing or moving towards the east

Other Words From

• non·eastern adjective
• pro-Eastern adjective
• un·eastern adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eastern¹

before 1000; Middle English esterne, Old English ēasterne; akin to Old Norse austroenn, Old High German ōstrōni. See east none, -ern none

Example Sentences

More than 220 people died in this eastern coastal area at the end of October, and the town of Paiporta was hit hardest with the loss of 60 lives.

From BBC

Red pandas are native to the eastern Himalayas and south western China but have become an endangered species, mainly due to habitat loss, human interference and poaching.

From BBC

Two weeks after flash floods caused devastation in eastern Spain, several areas of the nation are on alert again.

From BBC

In other parts of Spain precautions are being taken - with eastern and southern Mediterranean areas the most vulnerable.

From BBC

Most residents of Dahieh - one of the areas where Hezbollah has a significant presence, along with southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley - have fled because their neighbourhoods have been targeted repeatedly since September.

From BBC