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

Travelers in the Deep South, northern Pacific Northwest, and eastern Hawaii could see rain and the Pacific Southwest forecast calls for a few showers after the holiday so make sure to prepare for wet roads. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Meteorologists are monitoring snowfall predictions across northern Missouri Monday, but the location could shift considerably, the weather service said. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 Nov. 2025

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