eastern

adjective

east·​ern ˈē-stərn How to pronounce eastern (audio)
1
Eastern : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated East
2
Eastern
a
: of, relating to, or being the Christian churches originating in the church of the Eastern Roman Empire
b
: eastern orthodox
3
a
: lying toward the east
b
: coming from the east
an eastern wind

Examples of eastern in a Sentence

They live in the eastern part of the state. the eastern shore of the river
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Russian authorities accused the Michigan man of signing a contract with Ukraine’s military in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izyum after Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. — Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 But other large communities in eastern Johnson County stand out as not included in the state’s STAR bond district, including Overland Park, Leawood and Prairie Village. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026 The latest attack targeted King Fahd International Airport in the eastern Saudi Arabian city of Dammam, killing at least one person and injuring eight others Wednesday evening, Saudi officials said. — Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Russia’s previous demands amount to near-total victory – calling for Ukraine to give up the entire eastern Ukrainian Donbas region, which is now mostly under Russian occupation. — Arina Porkhovnik, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eastern

Word History

Etymology

Middle English estern, from Old English ēasterne; akin to Old High German ōstrōni eastern, Old English ēast east

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eastern was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing eastern

Rhymes for eastern

See All Rhymes for eastern

Browse Nearby Words

eastermost
eastern
eastern apple box
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eastern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eastern. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

eastern

adjective
east·​ern ˈē-stərn How to pronounce eastern (audio)
1
capitalized : of, relating to, or like that of the East
Eastern religion
2
: lying toward or coming from the east
easternmost
-ˌmōst How to pronounce eastern (audio)
adjective
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