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

Bertha is expected to come in for a landing on the eastern Louisiana coast as soon as Wednesday afternoon as a slow moving, weak tropical storm. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Refineries are maxed out, especially after Iran attacked 30 Middle Eastern refineries during the course of the war. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

The bagel started in Jewish communities in Poland and was brought here by Eastern European Jews escaping growing antisemitism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Large air tankers were called in Monday night to slow the fire’s eastern spread while firefighters, engines and bulldozers worked to strengthen containment lines. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 July 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