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

The potential City Ventures housing development is several blocks away from what has emerged as Fortinet’s current focal point of interest, a large site across the street to just east of the company’s headquarters. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

The fire is located east of Shark Valley Tram Road and was across 286 acres and was 60% contained, as of Sunday. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026

Adjective

There is a moderate risk of rip currents at all east Central Florida beaches. — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

New grass fires have erupted east and south of Dallas on Thursday night as the massive Ross Fire continues to burn, scorching at least 85,000 acres and leaving cattle dead, officials and rescuers said. — S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun

Afterward, a few friends made the half-mile trek east to the Mabee Center on the edge of campus. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026

The rescuers are among those dispatched the Mono County Sheriff's Office in the Sierra Nevada, about 200 miles (322 kilometers) east of San Francisco. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 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