northern

1 of 2

adjective

north·​ern ˈnȯr-t͟hərn 

ˈnȯr-t͟hən

1

capitalized

a

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated North

b

: of, relating to, or constituting the northern dialect

2

a

: lying toward the north

b

: coming from the north

a northern storm

northern

2 of 2

noun

1

capitalized : the dialect of English spoken in the part of the U.S. north of a line running northwest through central New Jersey, below the northern tier of counties in Pennsylvania, through northern Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, across central Iowa, and through the northwest corner of South Dakota

2

: pike entry 3 sense 1a

Examples of northern in a Sentence

Adjective

the northern part of the state

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In bright, fluid prose, the historian argues that Latin American political thought and diplomatic ideals have mightily influenced the more powerful northern country. —Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

Our group of 16 testers spent hundreds of hours in different campsites—with main hubs being on the Scott River in Northern California as well as a month in Crescent City on the far northern California coast. —Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 21 Apr. 2025

Noun

No more northerns are slated for Lake Ripley until after some of the bullheads have been removed. —Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2024

It is hoped by the state department that by planting quantities of northerns the perch population will be controlled. —Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English northerne, from Old English; akin to Old High German nordrōni northern, Old English north north

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing northern

• great northern bean
• northern corn rootworm
• northern fur seal
• northern giant hornet
• northern harrier
• northern hemisphere
• northern lights
• northern minke whale
• northern oriole
• northern pike
• northern spotted owl
• northern white cedar

Kids Definition

northern

adjective

north·​ern

ˈnȯr-t͟hə(r)n

1

capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of the North

2

: lying toward or coming from the north

a northern storm

northernmost

-ˌmōst

adjective