1
: situated toward or at the west
the west exit
2
: coming from the west
a west wind
1
a
: the general direction of sunset : the direction to the left of one facing north
b
: the compass point directly opposite to east
2
capitalized
a
: regions or countries lying to the west of a specified or implied point of orientation
b
: the noncommunist countries of Europe and America
3
: the end of a church opposite the chancel
4
often capitalized
a
: the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the west or at the left of a diagram
b
: a person (such as a bridge player) occupying this position during a specified activity
Examples of west in a Sentence
Adverb
They drove west after they got off the highway.
They live just west of here.
Adjective
cities on the west coast
Noun
There's a beautiful pond to the west of the trail.
We will be traveling into the city from the west.
If that way is east, then this way is west.
Floods have caused extensive damage in the West.
Come explore the natural wonders of the American West.
policies foreign to the West
Recent Examples on the Web
CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Where to Stay The American Club Five miles west of Sheboygan, in the neighboring village of Kohler, The American Club anchors the area’s luxury scene.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
For long-term problem solving, plant trees that will grow to shade the south and west sides of a house.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
The storm is forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late tomorrow or tomorrow night, the NHC said.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for west
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is located west of the coastline and is a two-hour direct flight from Diani, a popular coastal town known for its sandy beaches.
—CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Where to Stay The American Club Five miles west of Sheboygan, in the neighboring village of Kohler, The American Club anchors the area’s luxury scene.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Density concerns But part of that equation might include higher density developments, a path that concerns many residents on the west side, Rainey said.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
For long-term problem solving, plant trees that will grow to shade the south and west sides of a house.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Further west in Burgau, Sul, a coffee-shop-wine-bar hybrid, gets a lot of action for its outdoor seats that look to the sea.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
The storm is forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late tomorrow or tomorrow night, the NHC said.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for west
Cite this Entry
“West.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/west. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
west
1 of 3 adverb
: to or toward the west
west
2 of 3 adjective1
: situated toward or at the west
the west entrance
2
: coming from the west
a west wind
west
3 of 3 noun1
: the direction of sunset : the compass point opposite to east
2
capitalized
a
: regions or countries west of a point that is mentioned or understood
b
: the countries of Europe and the Americas that are not communist
Biographical Definition
West
2 of 4biographical name (2)
Nathanael 1903–1940 originally Nathan Wallenstein Weinstein American novelist
West
3 of 4biographical name (3)
Dame Rebecca 1892–1983 pseudonym of Cicily Isabel Andrews née Fairfield English critic and novelist
West
4 of 4biographical name (4)
Thomas see de la warr
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