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

Swindle was the consulting pastry chef, so his chocolate cake came east, as did newer creations such as a pine nut tart, its shell all crackle and butter, with a pitch-perfect side of cardamom ice milk. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Westley is about 75 miles east of San Jose and 70 miles south of Sacramento. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The second launch flew from North Korea's east coast toward the northeast, flying about 590 km, or about 366 miles, and falling into the Sea of Japan, the ministry said. — Jessica Gorman, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

The milliner’s customers can go green — in every sense — wearing headpieces showcasing the cedar of Lebanon, or the rose of Sharon, a type of hibiscus native to areas of east Asia. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026

Noun

But a couple of decades ago, the buildings in the seaside city, north of Haulover and east of Aventura, were far from fancy. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026

The Sierra then struck the front driver’s side of a 2011 Toyota Sienna that was stopped at the intersection facing east on South Frontage Road, state police said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 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