northern

[nawr-thern]

adjective

1. lying toward or situated in the north.

2. directed or proceeding northward.

3. coming from the north, as a wind.

4. Often Northern of or relating to the North, especially the northern United States.

5. Astronomy.,  north of the celestial equator or of the zodiac.

   a northern constellation.

noun

1. a person living in a northern region or country.

2. Northern, a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and a four-wheeled rear truck.

northern

/ ˈnɔːðən /

adjective

1. situated in or towards the north

   northern towns

2. directed or proceeding towards the north

   a northern flow of traffic

3. (esp of winds) proceeding from the north

4. (sometimes capital) of, relating to, or characteristic of the north or North

5. (sometimes capital) astronomy north of the celestial equator

Other Word Forms

• northernness noun
• pro-Northern adjective
• unnorthern adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of northern¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; north, -ern

Example Sentences

Scandinavia and northern Scotland remain the best places to see the Northern Lights.

From BBC

Most Sikhs are from the northern state of Punjab in India.

From Los Angeles Times

They traveled in separate directions, however, with the Bell venturing in a northern direction and staying west of the San Jacinto Mountains.

From Los Angeles Times

At a bus stand in the northern Indian city of Lucknow, the anxious faces tell their own story.

From BBC

In 2017, a man opened fire on Republican congressmen practicing on a northern Virginia baseball field.

From BBC