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 Words From

• northern·ness noun
• pro-Northern adjective
• un·northern adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of northern¹

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

Example Sentences

Ansar Dine was one of several Islamist militant groups to exploit an ethnic Tuareg uprising to take over cities in northern Mali.

From BBC

Palestinians are "facing diminishing conditions for survival" in parts of northern Gaza under siege by Israeli forces because virtually no aid has been delivered in 40 days, the UN has warned.

From BBC

It runs services across northern England and into the Midlands, including to stations in Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, and Nottingham.

From BBC

The heaviest rainfall - which could bring mud slides - is expected to hit northern California and southwest Oregon, according to the NOAA.

From BBC

In the northern Philippines, hundreds of homes were flooded after a river overflowed.

From NewsForKids.net