eastern

adjective

east·​ern ˈē-stərn 

1

Eastern : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated East

2

Eastern

a

: of, relating to, or being the Christian churches originating in the church of the Eastern Roman Empire

b

: eastern orthodox

3

a

: lying toward the east

b

: coming from the east

an eastern wind

Examples of eastern in a Sentence

They live in the eastern part of the state.

the eastern shore of the river

Recent Examples on the Web

The island’s eastern side is quieter and calmer than its buzzy west and south coasts, and a recent build there taps into that more relaxed vibe. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026

Experts have attributed the uptick to El Niño, a climate pattern characterized by warmer ocean waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

In September, Amnesty International reported that military courts in eastern Libya had convicted hundreds of civilians between 2018 and 2021 in secret trials targeting people accused of criticizing the LNA. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

In 2006, a proposal sought to bring Woodland, Davis, West Sacramento and unincorporated areas of eastern Yolo County into SMUD’s service territory. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English estern, from Old English ēasterne; akin to Old High German ōstrōni eastern, Old English ēast east

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing eastern

• eastern bluebird
• eastern equine encephalitis
• eastern equine encephalomyelitis
• eastern hemisphere
• eastern rat snake
• eastern time
• eastern white pine

Rhymes for eastern

• northeastern
• southeastern

Kids Definition

eastern

adjective

east·​ern ˈē-stərn 

1

capitalized : of, relating to, or like that of the East

Eastern religion

2

: lying toward or coming from the east

easternmost

-ˌmōst 

adjective