1
: situated toward or at the west
the west exit
2
: coming from the west
a west wind
1
a
: the general direction of sunset : the direction to the left of one facing north
b
: the compass point directly opposite to east
2
West
a
: regions or countries lying to the west of a specified or implied point of orientation
b
: the noncommunist countries of Europe and America
3
: the end of a church opposite the chancel
4
often West
a
: the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the west or at the left of a diagram
b
: a person (such as a bridge player) occupying this position during a specified activity
Examples of west in a Sentence
Adverb
They drove west after they got off the highway.
They live just west of here.
Adjective
cities on the west coast
Noun
There's a beautiful pond to the west of the trail.
We will be traveling into the city from the west.
If that way is east, then this way is west.
Floods have caused extensive damage in the West.
Come explore the natural wonders of the American West.
policies foreign to the West
Recent Examples on the Web
Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Investigators said the four people were in a boat that was carrying several undocumented immigrants when it was detected about 21 miles to the east of Miami-Dade County, and was headed west toward shore.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Heath Kalb, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
The order had been issued for the west side of Port Arthur, from Stilwell Boulevard west to areas south of Texas 73.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
Jenna Curcio, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
Dry air and gusty winds behind the cold front could raise the risk of grass fires and wildfires west of Interstate 35 Thursday and Friday, the weather service said.
—Robert A. Cronkleton
march 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for west
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Adverb
The community is about 145 miles west of Phoenix.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Investigators said the four people were in a boat that was carrying several undocumented immigrants when it was detected about 21 miles to the east of Miami-Dade County, and was headed west toward shore.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Prosecutors say Agee allegedly held the teen at his home in the 19400 block of Lindsay Street on Detroit's west side.
—Heath Kalb, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
The order had been issued for the west side of Port Arthur, from Stilwell Boulevard west to areas south of Texas 73.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
In Tropea, about an hour-and-a-half drive to the west, stay just outside the historic center for a quieter experience that doesn't sacrifice access.
—Jenna Curcio, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
Dry air and gusty winds behind the cold front could raise the risk of grass fires and wildfires west of Interstate 35 Thursday and Friday, the weather service said.
—Robert A. Cronkleton
march 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for west
Cite this Entry
“West.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/west. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
west
1 of 3 adverb
: to or toward the west
west
2 of 3 adjective1
: situated toward or at the west
the west entrance
2
: coming from the west
a west wind
west
3 of 3 noun1
: the direction of sunset : the compass point opposite to east
2
capitalized
a
: regions or countries west of a point that is mentioned or understood
b
: the countries of Europe and the Americas that are not communist
Biographical Definition
West
2 of 4biographical name (2)
Nathanael 1903–1940 originally Nathan Wallenstein Weinstein American novelist
West
3 of 4biographical name (3)
Dame Rebecca 1892–1983 pseudonym of Cicily Isabel Andrews née Fairfield English critic and novelist
West
4 of 4biographical name (4)
Thomas see de la warr
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