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

In September 2026, FreightWaves reported that the program had advanced to a phase involving a 30-mile stretch between Vidalia and an area east of Helena, Georgia. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Likely a large waterspout ongoing 19 miles east of Tybee Island. — AJC.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Up on the third floor, the entire east wing is taken up by the primary suite, with matching butter-yellow bedroom and bathroom. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026

Notable An Israeli team of scientists launched a mobile research lab this year that will collect data across east and southern Africa in an attempt to fill huge data gaps in global climate science. — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Noun

Unmistakably mountain-inspired, interiors still feel more akin to a spacious Midtown-east hotel, which is a welcome departure from other Park City properties. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Early battles have taken place along a critical commercial route leading east to the port of Djibouti, while drone strikes were carried out around the army’s main airbase near the capital, Addis Ababa. — Cameron Hudson, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 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