easterly

adjective or adverb east·er·ly \ ˈē-stər-lē \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of easterly

1 : situated toward or belonging to the east

the easterly shore of the lake

2 : coming from the east

an easterly storm

See easterly defined for English-language learners

See easterly defined for kids

Recent Examples of easterly from the Web

Highs are expected to reach into the 70s well away from the lake, and a light on-shore easterly breeze will keep readings in the 50s along the lakefront.

— tom skilling, chicagotribune.com, "A couple of sunny days to start the workweek," 6 May 2018
The applicant, Dandena Larchmont LLC, is seeking a tentative tract map to build the homes on a portion of two parcels totaling 80 acres at the easterly terminus of Larchmont Street, just east of Pomerado Road and north of Twin Peaks Road.

— steve dreyer, Pomerado News, "Twin Peaks subdivision on Poway council agenda," 15 Mar. 2018
Hit by easterly winds from Siberia, cities from Warsaw to Oslo were colder than minus 8C.

— author: alister doyle, Anchorage Daily News, "North Pole surges above freezing in the dead of winter, stunning scientists," 26 Feb. 2018
Strong easterly winds will boost wind power for the northern European wind farms as well as bringing a strong wind-chill, Dave Reynolds, a meteorologist at the Weather Co., said by email.

— Time, "It's Warmer in Iceland Than Parts of the Mediterranean This Week," 26 Feb. 2018
The battle for the community on the two most easterly islands continued for almost four decades.

— catherine porter, New York Times, "Shivering? That’s for City Folk. For Islanders, Ice Time Is Play Time.," 16 Jan. 2018
An easterly track would have spared more citrus groves, vegetable farms and cattle operations while dealing out more damage to the sugar cane producers in the state’s southeastern region.

— martha c. white, NBC News, "Worry About Florida Farmland Advances Along With Irma," 9 Sep. 2017
Snow is expected to start sometime in the morning in southeastern Wisconsin and could switch to a wintry mix in the afternoon as easterly breezes off the lake raise temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.

— meg jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Light snow and wintry mix forecast for Thursday and possibly Friday in Wisconsin," 20 Dec. 2017
Light winds mainly come from the easterly direction to reinforce a cool wedging pattern.

— matt rogers, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Sunny and seasonal this afternoon, then a chilly Hallow’s Eve," 31 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'easterly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of easterly

obsolete easter eastern

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1548

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

easterly

noun

Definition of easterly

plural easterlies

: a wind from the east

Recent Examples of easterly from the Web

Pulled toward the Americas by tropical easterlies, the fine particles from Africa often reach areas as far away as Texas and the Amazon River.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "London’s sky turns red Monday, but we can’t blame pollution," 16 Oct. 2017
An unusual easterly wind gusting up to 21 mph on Friday will drop temperatures to around 67 degrees.

— kirk mitchell, The Denver Post, "Southwest breezes bring unseasonably balmy temps to Denver," 15 Mar. 2017
Tropical Wave: A trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade-wind easterlies.

— carlie kollath wells, NOLA.com, "What's the difference between a tropical cyclone and a hurricane?," 19 June 2017
Tropical Wave: A trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade-wind easterlies.

— carlie kollath wells, NOLA.com, "What's the difference between a tropical cyclone and a hurricane?," 19 June 2017

First Known Use of easterly

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

EASTERLY Defined for English Language Learners

easterly

adjective

Definition of easterly for English Language Learners

: located or moving toward the east
: blowing from the east

EASTERLY Defined for Kids

easterly

adverb or adjective east·er·ly \ ˈē-stər-lē \

Definition of easterly for Students

1 : toward the east

They sailed easterly.

They sailed in an easterly direction.

2 : from the east

an easterly wind

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Spanish Central: Translation of easterly Nglish: Translation of easterly for Spanish speakers

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easterly

Definition of easterly

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easterly

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EASTERLY Defined for English Language Learners

easterly

Definition of easterly for English Language Learners

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easterly

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