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

It was forecast to move away from the northern Philippines on Thursday and barrel northwestward toward the south of Taiwan and hit southeastern China later this week.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 25, 2023

Then she turned, and striking into the half-buried trail, followed it till it merged into another trail, the trail of a man with a dog-sled, and then she followed the broader trail to the northwestward.

From Snowdrift A Story of the Land of the Strong Cold by Hendryx, James B. (James Beardsley)