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

Overseas investments in renewable energy form part of broader strategies among Middle Eastern countries to diversify their economies and adapt to a global shift toward cleaner energy. —Allan Olingo, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

Authorities on Monday recovered the body of a Central Valley man who did not return home after going fishing near the eastern edge of Alameda County. —Annie Vainshtein, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026

The Lake County portion hugs the shoreline south to Lake Cook Road and continues west to the eastern part of Buffalo Grove. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Vance delivered the remarks during a March 16 trip to Engineering Design Services, a manufacturing facility in eastern Michigan. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026

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