north

1 of 3

adverb

ˈnȯrth 

: to, toward, or in the north

see also:

north of

north

2 of 3

adjective

1

: situated toward or at the north

the north entrance

2

: coming from the north

a north wind

north

3 of 3

noun

1

a

: the direction of the north terrestrial pole : the direction to the left of one facing east

b

: the compass point directly opposite to south

2

North

a

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

b

: the industrially and economically developed nations of the world compare south sense 5

3

often North

a

: the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the north or at the top of a diagram

b

: a person occupying this position in the course of a specified activity (such as the game of bridge)

Examples of north in a Sentence

Adverb

Turn north onto Elm Street.

It's a few miles north of here.

The bird is found as far north as Canada.

Noun

The wind is coming from the north.

The birds migrate from the North.

Parts of the North were hit hard by the storm.

I grew up in the North.

The American Civil War was between the North and the South.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The shooter's vehicle fled north on May Street. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026

But because the interstate runs north and south through Chicago, eastbound is actually traveling south, or outbound, and westbound is traveling north, or inbound to the city. —Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

Adjective

However, in 2021 and 2022, there was a lull in storms in Jupiter's north equatorial belt. —Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Carlsbad, California Located on the Pacific in north San Diego County, Carlsbad experiences mild weather year-round. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026

Noun

The boat that struck the dinghy didn’t stop and continued north from the Meloy Channel in Biscayne Bay. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

Authorities issued weather alerts for dozens of municipalities in northern and north-western Slovenia as wind speeds reached 141 kph (87 mph) in some areas, public broadcaster RTV SLO reported. —ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German nord north and perhaps to Greek nerteros lower, infernal

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 north

• east by north
• magnetic north
• north by east
• north by west
• northeast by north
• north-northeast
• north-northwest
• north of
• north pole
• north-seeking pole
• northwest by north
• the north
• true north
• up north
• west by north

Rhymes for north

• fourth
• henceforth
• thenceforth

Kids Definition

north

1 of 3 adverb

ˈnȯ(ə)rth 

: to or toward the north

north

2 of 3 adjective

1

: placed or lying toward or at the north

the north entrance

2

: coming from the north

a north wind

north

3 of 3 noun

1

a

: the direction to the left of one facing east

b

: the compass point opposite to south

2

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

Biographical Definition

North 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

ˈnȯrth 

Douglass Cecil 1920–2015 American economist

North

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Frederick 1732–1792 Lord North English statesman; prime minister (1770–82)

North

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Sir Thomas 1535–?1603 English translator