northern

1 of 2

adjective

north·​ern ˈnȯr-t͟hərn 

ˈnȯr-t͟hən

1

Northern

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

Northern : 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

Strong winds capable of knocking out power and damaging or even uprooting trees are also possible as the storms blast eastward into the evening across Michigan and northern parts of Ohio and Indiana. —Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026

The latest example unfolded over the weekend in northern France at Paris-Roubaix, the grueling cycling classic over cobblestones known as the Hell of the North. —ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

Noun

Dozens of log pilings were sticking a foot or so above the water, ideal for bass and northerns. —Don Shiner, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2025

The Upper Peninsula is the northern of Michigan's two peninsulas. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 13 Dec. 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