north

1 of 3

adverb

ˈnȯrth 

: to, toward, or in the north

see also:

north of

north

2 of 3

adjective

1

: situated toward or at the north

the north entrance

2

: coming from the north

a north wind

north

3 of 3

noun

1

a

: the direction of the north terrestrial pole : the direction to the left of one facing east

b

: the compass point directly opposite to south

2

North

a

: regions or countries lying to the north of a specified or implied point of orientation

b

: the industrially and economically developed nations of the world compare south sense 5

3

often North

a

: the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the north or at the top of a diagram

b

: a person occupying this position in the course of a specified activity (such as the game of bridge)

Examples of north in a Sentence

Adverb

Turn north onto Elm Street.

It's a few miles north of here.

The bird is found as far north as Canada.

Noun

The wind is coming from the north.

The birds migrate from the North.

Parts of the North were hit hard by the storm.

I grew up in the North.

The American Civil War was between the North and the South.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Boise Police wrote that the motorcycle appeared to have been traveling north and the e-bike heading west when the crash took place. — Matan Josephy, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2026

At the national park, the route heads north toward the ski town of Telluride, crossing over Lizard Head Pass (elevation 10,222 feet), before looping back toward Ouray. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Adjective

Jack Latvala, a longtime Florida senator representing north Pinellas County and powerful Tampa Bay leader who remade the state’s Republican Party, died Wednesday. — Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026

Linerlytica’s report said that 38 percent of the global congestion took place at north Asian ports, with northern Europe taking the second highest share at 13 percent. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 8 July 2026

Noun

Our neighborhood was bordered by historic Swedish and German enclaves and, a bit farther north, a large Indian community. — Rima Suqi, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026

Observers should look north during dark hours, avoid light pollution, and use long-exposure photography. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German nord north and perhaps to Greek nerteros lower, infernal

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 north

• east by north
• magnetic north
• north by east
• north by west
• northeast by north
• north-northeast
• north-northwest
• north of
• north pole
• north-seeking pole
• northwest by north
• the north
• true north
• up north
• west by north

Rhymes for north

• fourth
• henceforth
• thenceforth

Kids Definition

north

1 of 3 adverb

ˈnȯ(ə)rth 

: to or toward the north

north

2 of 3 adjective

1

: placed or lying toward or at the north

the north entrance

2

: coming from the north

a north wind

north

3 of 3 noun

1

a

: the direction to the left of one facing east

b

: the compass point opposite to south

2

capitalized : regions or countries north of a point that is mentioned or understood

Biographical Definition

North 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

ˈnȯrth 

Douglass Cecil 1920–2015 American economist

North

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Frederick 1732–1792 Lord North English statesman; prime minister (1770–82)

North

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Sir Thomas 1535–?1603 English translator