northward

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

north·​ward ˈnȯrth-wərd 

: toward the north

northwards

ˈnȯrth-wərdz 

adverb

northward

2 of 2

noun

: northward direction or part

sail to the northward

Examples of northward in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb or adjective

Recent advances northward along the Dnipro River risk exposing the economic center of Zaporizhzhia to these terror tactics. —Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2025

But like the plants and animals facing new heat and drought challenges at the edge of a northward-shifting Sonoran Desert, sometimes things work in one configuration until conditions change just a little too much. —Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 10 Nov. 2025

Noun

Hazardous marine and beach conditions continue today as a cold front pushes through the area later this morning and Hurricane Melissa progresses northwards in the western Atlantic. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025

Fog is receding along the Monterey Peninsula and should start to clear along the coast from Santa Cruz County northwards through the remainder of the morning. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

northward

adverb or adjective

north·​ward

ˈnȯrth-wərd

: toward the north

northwards

-wərdz

adverb