east

1 of 3

adverb

ˈēst 

: to, toward, or in the east

east

2 of 3

adjective

1

: situated toward or at the east

an east window

2

: coming from the east

an east wind

east

3 of 3

noun

1

a

: the general direction of sunrise : the direction toward the right of one facing north

b

: the compass point directly opposite to west

2

East

a

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

b

: regions having a culture derived from ancient non-European especially Asian areas

3

: the altar end of a church

4

often East

a

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

b

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

Examples of east in a Sentence

Adjective

the east side of town

Noun

The city is framed by mountain ranges to the east and west.

The wind blew from the east.

This summer has been unusually hot in the East.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Ellison is about two miles east of the Declan site. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026

Residents who live east of 82nd Avenue are under the precautionary boil order. —Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Beren is exactly what the hospital district has needed ever since King Tut moved a few blocks east. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2026

All Ukrainian bat species are insect-eating and legally protected, while the country lies on an important east European migratory route. —ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026

Noun

Based out of Fort Lauderdale, Brown travels east to west every week in his 18-wheeler, often driving up to 11-hour shifts and eating in his vehicle to stay on schedule. —David Williams, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026

As Canis Major journeys across the sky from east to west in response to Earth’s rotation, the big doggy appears to be begging from his master. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English est, from Old English ēast; akin to Old High German ōstar to the east, Latin aurora dawn, Greek ēōs, heōs

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 east

• back east
• down east
• east by north
• east by south
• east-northeast
• east-southeast
• north by east
• northeast by east
• south by east
• southeast by east
• the east

Rhymes for east

• beast
• ceased
• creased
• feast
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• least
• pieced
• priest
• yeast

Kids Definition

east

1 of 3 adverb

ˈēst 

: to or toward the east

east

2 of 3 adjective

1

: located toward or at the east

the east door of the school

2

: coming from the east

an east wind

east

3 of 3 noun

1

a

: the general direction of sunrise

b

: the compass point directly opposite to west

2

capitalized : regions or countries east of a specific place