northwestward

American  

[nawrth-west-werd, nawr-west-werd] / ˌnɔrθˈwɛst wərd, ˌnɔrˈwɛst wərd /

adverb

1. Also northwestwardly. toward the northwest.

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noun

1. the northwest.

northwestward British  

/ ˌnɔːθˈwɛstwəd, ˌnɔːˈwɛstwəd /

adjective

1. towards or (esp of a wind) from the northwest

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noun

1. a direction towards or area in the northwest

Other Word Forms

• northwestwardly adjective

Etymology

Origin of northwestward

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; northwest, -ward

Example Sentences

Some piers sheltered from the typical northwestward storm now get barraged from all angles.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2024

That moisture was on a northwestward path, bringing with it the potential for an evolving system that could change in character as the day continues.

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2024

It was forecast to move away from the northern Philippines on Thursday and barrel northwestward to graze past Taiwan’s southwestern coast before hitting southeastern China later this week.

From Washington Times • Jul. 26, 2023

The crust and mantle that comprise the Pacific Plate cracks at different places as it moves northwestward.

From Scientific American • Dec. 1, 2022

A result of this is the regular decrease in precipitation northward, northwestward, and westward from the Gulf of Mexico.

From Climatic Changes Their Nature and Causes by Huntington, Ellsworth