East Asia

American  

[eest ey-zhuh, ey-shuh] / ˈist ˈeɪ ʒə, ˈeɪ ʃə /

noun

1. the countries and land area of easternmost Asia, most commonly classified as comprising China, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao.

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Other Word Forms

• East Asian adjective

Etymology

Origin of East Asia

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Based on its features, scientists classified it as a thescelosaurid, a group of two-legged dinosaurs found in East Asia and North America that may have had fuzzy coverings.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

The resumption of the train link symbolised a return to a stronger bilateral relationship, said Lim Tai Wei, a professor and East Asia expert at Japan's Soka University.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Munitions used in Ukraine aren’t available in the Middle East—and those currently being used will not be available in East Asia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

According to the U.S. government, rates rose in the fall because of increased demand for crude-oil shipments, particularly from buyers in East Asia, curbing the number of vessels available for bookings.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

It proves to have been triggered by many of the same causes that played themselves out at Cajamarca, in East Asia, on Pacific islands, and in Australia and New Guinea.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond