northwestward

[ nawrth-west-werd; Nautical nawr-west-werd ]

adverb

1. Also northwestward·ly. toward the northwest.

noun

1. the northwest.

northwestward

/ ˌnɔːθˈwɛstwəd; ˌnɔːˈwɛstwəd /

adjective

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

noun

1. a direction towards or area in the northwest

Derived Forms

• ˌnorthˈwestwardly, adjectiveadverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of northwestward¹

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

Example Sentences

As rich moisture surged northwestward, the outlook was “already very unstable,” said Ryan Jewell, a forecaster at the Weather Prediction Center of the Weather Service.

From New York Times

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

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

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

From Scientific American

Torrential rains and mudslides were also forecast for the Dominican Republic as the storm progresses northwestward.

From Reuters