east

1 of 3

adverb

ˈēst 

: to, toward, or in the east

east

2 of 3

adjective

1

: situated toward or at the east

an east window

2

: coming from the east

an east wind

east

3 of 3

noun

1

a

: the general direction of sunrise : the direction toward the right of one facing north

b

: the compass point directly opposite to west

2

capitalized

a

: regions lying to the east of a specified or implied point of orientation

b

: regions having a culture derived from ancient non-European especially Asian areas

3

: the altar end of a church

4

often capitalized

a

: the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the east or at the right of a diagram

b

: a person (such as a bridge player) occupying this position in the course of a specified activity

Examples of east in a Sentence

Adjective

the east side of town

Noun

The city is framed by mountain ranges to the east and west.

The wind blew from the east.

This summer has been unusually hot in the East.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Wenatchee is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 24 June 2025

Most, when prodded, give a playful shrug at the curious phenomenon in the high school, which is in an affluent, largely white district about 35 miles east of Manhattan. —Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025

Adjective

Gary Price had been captured after neighbors said had been hiding at a vacant home in east New Orleans. —Chris Kenning, USA Today, 17 June 2025

Seasonable temperatures are expected over east Central Florida with highs in the mid-80s to low-90s. —Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025

Noun

The tornado developed south of Leonard Ranch Road and east of School House Road, the survey summary states. —Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025

The closest large landmark to its east is the Miccosukee Indian Village. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English est, from Old English ēast; akin to Old High German ōstar to the east, Latin aurora dawn, Greek ēōs, heōs

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

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

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing east

• back east
• down east
• east by north
• east by south
• east-northeast
• east-southeast
• north by east
• northeast by east
• south by east
• southeast by east
• the east

Rhymes for east

• beast
• ceased
• creased
• feast
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• least
• pieced
• priest
• yeast

Kids Definition

east

1 of 3 adverb

ˈēst 

: to or toward the east

east

2 of 3 adjective

1

: located toward or at the east

the east door of the school

2

: coming from the east

an east wind

east

3 of 3 noun

1

a

: the general direction of sunrise

b

: the compass point directly opposite to west

2

capitalized : regions or countries east of a specific place