eastern

adjective

east·​ern ˈē-stərn 

1

Eastern : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated East

2

Eastern

a

: of, relating to, or being the Christian churches originating in the church of the Eastern Roman Empire

b

: eastern orthodox

3

a

: lying toward the east

b

: coming from the east

an eastern wind

Examples of eastern in a Sentence

They live in the eastern part of the state.

the eastern shore of the river

Recent Examples on the Web

Look for it above the eastern horizon after dark, blazing like a cream-colored beacon. —Dean Regas, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Dec. 2025

Her gaze has drifted out across the hills of eastern Tennessee. —David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

Farm Tours The whole crew will enjoy Michigan’s largest lavender experience at Lavender Hill Farm in Boyne City, at the eastern tip of Lake Charlevoix. —Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 30 Dec. 2025

Wave heights got up to 20 feet in the eastern basin of Lake Erie, and 14 to 18 feet in the central basin, the weather service there said. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English estern, from Old English ēasterne; akin to Old High German ōstrōni eastern, Old English ēast east

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing eastern

• eastern bluebird
• eastern equine encephalitis
• eastern equine encephalomyelitis
• eastern hemisphere
• eastern rat snake
• eastern time
• eastern white pine

Rhymes for eastern

• northeastern
• southeastern

Kids Definition

eastern

adjective

east·​ern ˈē-stərn 

1

capitalized : of, relating to, or like that of the East

Eastern religion

2

: lying toward or coming from the east

easternmost

-ˌmōst 

adjective