northeast

1 of 3

adverb

north·​east nȯrth-ˈēst 

nautical

nȯr-ˈēst 

: to, toward, or in the northeast

northeast

2 of 3

adjective

1

: coming from the northeast

a northeast wind

2

: situated toward or at the northeast

the northeast corner

northeast

3 of 3

noun

1

a

: the general direction between north and east

b

: the point midway between the north and east compass points

2

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

Examples of northeast in a Sentence

Adverb

It's a few miles northeast of here.

We left the city and headed northeast.

Adjective

My office is in the northeast corner of the building.

Noun

A mountain range is in the northeast of the country.

Parts of the Northeast were hit hard by the storm.

I grew up in the Northeast.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The fire was burning northeast toward Olinda Village, leading to evacuation warnings for the communities of Olinda Village, Hollydale Mobile Home Park and Brea Hills. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026

One of the largest fires in Georgia, the Pineland Road Fire, burning ​since April 18, has grown to consume 31,976 acres near Fargo, Georgia, about 120 miles northeast of Tallahassee, Florida, and remains only 10% contained, the commission said. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Meanwhile, Waukegan officials and others in northeast county communities are concerned over the future of Vista Medical. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Heavy rainfall that can lead to flash flooding is also possible, especially north, northeast and northwest of the metro. —Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2026

Noun

Winds will stay out of the east-northeast at 5 to 10 mph. —Steven Sosna, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

Dozens of wildfires are also burning in northern and central Florida, from Tampa up to Pensacola in the state’s northwest and Jacksonville in its northeast. —Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

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

Phrases Containing northeast

• east-northeast
• northeast by east
• northeast by north
• north-northeast
• the northeast

Rhymes for northeast

• deceased
• decreased
• increased
• policed
• released
• southeast
• beast
• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced

Kids Definition

northeast

1 of 3 adverb

north·​east nȯr-ˈthēst 

nautical

nȯ-ˈrēst 

: to or toward the northeast

northeast

2 of 3 noun

1

: the direction between north and east

2

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

northeast

3 of 3 adjective

1

: placed or lying toward or at the northeast

the northeast corner

2

: coming from the northeast

a northeast wind