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

Those morning storms shifted east into parts of the Appalachians in the early afternoon, leaving the door open for explosive thunderstorm development across the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. —Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 16 May 2025

In Union County, a single square mile between Faith Church, Secrest Shortcut and Unionville-Indian Trail roads east of Indian Trail was the most densely populated at 3,098 people per square mile. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2025

Adjective

Researchers long believed that humpbacks only gave birth to their calves in the tropical waters north of 28 degrees latitude on Australia’s east side and north of 23 degrees latitude on the west side. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025

The village reached an agreement in February for a 147-room dual-brand hotel to be built on the far east side of the Route 6 frontage of the complex, Baldermann said. —Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025

Noun

In addition, the nonprofit will repave the hexagonal areas surrounding the two fountains on the west and east sides of the grounds as circular shapes that are true to the layout of the original design. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025

After days of relentless storms targeting the middle part of the United States, which recently saw scores of deaths in a round of tornadoes, the thunderstorm threat on May 20 is focused on states across the Mississippi Valley before moving further east, forecasters said. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 21 May 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