northeast

[nawrth-eest, nawr-eest]

noun

1. a point on the compass midway between north and east. NE

2. a region in this direction.

3. the Northeast, the northeastern part of the United States.

adverb

1. toward or in the northeast.

   sailing northeast.

adjective

1. coming from the northeast.

   a northeast wind.

2. directed toward the northeast.

   a northeast course.

northeast

¹

/ ˌnɔːθˈiːst, ˌnɔːrˈiːst /

noun

1. the point of the compass or direction midway between north and east, 45° clockwise from north

2. (often capital) any area lying in or towards this direction

adjective

1. (sometimes capital) of or denoting the northeastern part of a specified country, area, etc

   northeast Lincolnshire

2. situated in, proceeding towards, or facing the northeast

3. (esp of the wind) from the northeast

adverb

1. in, to, towards, or (esp of the wind) from the northeast

Northeast

²

/ ˌnɔːθˈiːst /

noun

1. the northeastern part of England, esp Northumberland, Durham, and the Tyneside area

Other Word Forms

• northeasternmost adjective
• northeastern adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of northeast¹

before 950; Middle English, Old English; north, east

Example Sentences

The hilly and relatively remote northeast region remains India's cancer hotspot, with Mizoram's Aizawl district recording lifetime risks twice the national average.

From BBC

In late July, Richard Quinones saw a woman lying in a ditch near the trolley tracks in Lemon Grove, northeast of San Diego.

From Los Angeles Times

The Skycrane traveled in a northeast direction over a section of the same mountain range.

From Los Angeles Times

Every time Karen Betlejewski visits the Smith River Community Pioneer Cemetery, she places silk flowers beside a simple granite headstone in the northeast corner.

From Los Angeles Times

In late August, the office of Rep. Jay Obernolte, a Republican who represents an enormous Southern California district northeast of Los Angeles, sent out mailers touting the accomplishments of H.R.

From Salon