northwest

1 of 3

adverb

north·​west nȯrth-ˈwest 

nautical

nȯr-ˈwest 

: to, toward, or in the northwest

northwest

2 of 3

adjective

1

: coming from the northwest

a northwest wind

2

: situated toward or at the northwest

the northwest corner

northwest

3 of 3

noun

1

a

: the general direction between north and west

b

: the point midway between the north and west compass points

2

capitalized : regions or countries lying to the northwest of a specified or implied point of orientation

Examples of northwest in a Sentence

Adverb

It's about 80 miles northwest of here.

I headed northwest on Route 1.

Adjective

the northwest corner of the building

Noun

A mountain range is in the northwest of the country.

We traveled throughout the Northwest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Viewed from orbit, Jackass Flats — situated in southern Nevada about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas — could easily be confused for Mars. —Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 35 statute miles east and west of a line from 15 miles west northwest of Paso Robles CA to 20 miles southwest of Los Angeles CA. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Adjective

The Mountain State's regions under the warning include northwest Pocahontas, northwest Randolph, southeast Pocahontas, southeast Randolph and southeast Webster Counties. —Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a crucial land exchange Tuesday that brings Zebulon, a mega sports complex planned for northwest Douglas County, one step closer to reality. —Claire Lavezzorio, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025

Noun

The Republican lawmaker representing Georgia’s northwest has, in recent days, doubled down on her criticism of her own party, this time hammering in on the continuing government shutdown. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 13 Oct. 2025

Once Orion rises, meteors emerge about 10° north/northwest of bright Betelgeuse. —Big Think, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

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

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

Phrases Containing northwest

• north-northwest
• northwest by north
• northwest by west
• the northwest
• west-northwest

Rhymes for northwest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids Definition

northwest

1 of 3 adverb

north·​west nȯrth-ˈwest 

nautical

nȯr-ˈwest 

: to or toward the northwest

northwest

2 of 3 noun

1

: the direction between north and west

2

capitalized : the regions or countries northwest of a point that is mentioned or understood

northwest

3 of 3 adjective

1

: coming from the northwest

a northwest wind

2

: placed or lying toward or at the northwest

the northwest corner

Geographical Definition

North West

geographical name

variants or Noordwes

ˌnȯrd-ˈwes 

ˌnȯrt-

province of the northern part of the Republic of South Africa bordering Botswana area 44,861 square miles (116,190 square kilometers), population 3,509,953