northwestern

adjective

north·​west·​ern nȯr(th)-ˈwe-stərn How to pronounce northwestern (audio)
1
often Northwestern : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated Northwest
2
: lying toward or coming from the northwest
northwesternmost
nȯr(th)-ˈwe-stərn-ˌmōst How to pronounce northwestern (audio)
adjective

Examples of northwestern in a Sentence

the northwestern corner of the state
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.
While most areas will remain dry through the end of this week, there is a chance for weakening showers and storms over far northwestern Missouri each evening, the weather service said. — Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 Located in Florina, in northwestern Greece, the region lies on a high plateau ringed by jagged peaks, with freshwater lakes below. — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 John Berry The smoke is affecting areas downwind of the fires, with the greatest impacts expected across western and northwestern Colorado. — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 28 June 2026 Tremors were felt in Islamabad, as well as in the eastern province of Punjab and the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for northwestern

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of northwestern was in 1577

Rhymes for northwestern

See All Rhymes for northwestern

Browse Nearby Words

northwesterly
northwestern
northwestern anthracnose
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Cite this Entry

“Northwestern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northwestern. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

northwestern

adjective
north·​west·​ern nȯrth-ˈwes-tərn How to pronounce northwestern (audio)
1
often capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Northwest
2
: lying toward or coming from the northwest

More from Merriam-Webster on northwestern

Nglish: Translation of northwestern for Spanish Speakers

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