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

Originating in the KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa, on the Eastern Cape, the bird of paradise found its way to the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino sometime before 1932, when the institution’s record-keeping began, explains Kathy Musial, senior curator of living collections.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent years, Los Angeles has been importing nearly 90% of its water, drawing on supplies from the Eastern Sierra, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and the Colorado River.

From Los Angeles Times

Eastern teachers who have taught in the U.S. have recognized that in the West people generally don’t feel good enough about themselves.

From Salon

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