northwesterly

adverb or adjective

north·​west·​er·​ly nȯr(th)-ˈwe-stər-lē How to pronounce northwesterly (audio)
1
: from the northwest
2
: toward the northwest

Examples of northwesterly in a Sentence

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.
By evening, skies will remain clear, and there will be a gentle northwesterly breeze. — Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 13 June 2026 The rain chance will stay near 40 per cent during the match, and winds will be northwesterly at five to 10 miles per hour. — Aaron Mentkowski, New York Times, 30 June 2026 At the foot of the rocks, far below, prevailing northwesterly winds known as the Mistral whip the sea into a frenzy. — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2026 Winds will turn northwesterly, heralding another chilly weekend. — Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for northwesterly

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of northwesterly was circa 1611

Rhymes for northwesterly

See All Rhymes for northwesterly

Browse Nearby Words

northwester
northwesterly
northwestern
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Northwesterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northwesterly. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

northwesterly

adverb or adjective
north·​west·​er·​ly nȯrth-ˈwes-tər-lē How to pronounce northwesterly (audio)
1
: from the northwest
2
: toward the northwest

More from Merriam-Webster on northwesterly

Nglish: Translation of northwesterly for Spanish Speakers

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