north·ern
ˈnȯr-t͟hərn 
ˈnȯr-t͟hən
1
capitalized
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated North
b
: of, relating to, or constituting the northern dialect
2
a
: lying toward the north
b
: coming from the north
a northern storm
1
Examples of northern in a Sentence
Adjective
the northern part of the state
Recent Examples on the Web
Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 29 Nov. 2023
However, sightings from regions south of the Arctic Circle tend only to get glimpses of aurora as a faint glow on the northern horizon, so that’s where aurora hunters should look from North America.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
In the fastest-warming part of the planet, the Svalbard reindeer’s relative success is a welcome contrast to the challenges facing many other northern animals.
—Cheryl Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023
New violations of the cease-fire have been reported in northern Gaza this morning.
—NBC News, 29 Nov. 2023
Last Updated: Live Coverage Feed 4 hours ago Humanitarian Aid Reaches Northern Gaza, U.N. Agency Says
The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said humanitarian aid reached its shelters in northern Gaza on Monday for the first time since the war began.
—Alexandra Wexler, WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023
Israel had previously instructed Gazans to evacuate from northern Gaza, where the majority of the fighting has been focused, to the south to minimize civilian casualties.
—Selina Wang, ABC News, 28 Nov. 2023
Employing their military edge in the land, sea, and air, Israelis have gained control of most of northern Gaza, killed thousands of terrorists, uncovered stashes of weapons, and begun to dismantle or disable Hamas’s vast network of underground tunnels.
—The Editors, National Review, 28 Nov. 2023
The small space on the ground floor showed work by a photographer from the northern state of Sonora — endless desert horizons punctuated by fragments of industrial architecture.
—Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Tony Kennedy, Star Tribune, 25 Mar. 2021
Most puffers have very tiny mouths, and northerns are no exception.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 23 Aug. 2023
Walleyes or northerns were the target for the Governor's Fishing Opener The water temperature was 48 degrees and the walleyes, Wisconsin's favorite game fish, would likely be at the tail end of their spawning period or just after it.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 7 May 2023
Carey thought trolling would be the best way to cover water and find some active fish, likely walleyes or northerns.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 7 May 2023
One northern was chunky and offered a good fight, and the walleyes would contribute to a feast Mike planned that evening for visiting cousins, who before dinner would splash into Cross Lake to cool off and afterward would watch the sun set below the distant pines.
—Star Tribune, 22 July 2021
Resources The highest rates of botulism in the United States occur in our northern-most state Alaska, and is attributed to changing methods of fermenting meat and the loss of indigenous culinary knowledge among Native Alaskans.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 23 May 2013
Bartz, who has fished for many decades in the best waters of Wisconsin and Ontario, caught the biggest walleye and northern of his life on Seseganaga.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 13 June 2022
My turn was next, with a 21-inch northern on the same type of lure.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7 May 2022
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Adjective
The initial phase of Israel's ground campaign in Gaza, which has paused amid the ceasefire, has primarily targeted northern Gaza, where officials have said Hamas is located.
—Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 29 Nov. 2023
However, sightings from regions south of the Arctic Circle tend only to get glimpses of aurora as a faint glow on the northern horizon, so that’s where aurora hunters should look from North America.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
In the fastest-warming part of the planet, the Svalbard reindeer’s relative success is a welcome contrast to the challenges facing many other northern animals.
—Cheryl Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023
New violations of the cease-fire have been reported in northern Gaza this morning.
—NBC News, 29 Nov. 2023
Last Updated: Live Coverage Feed 4 hours ago Humanitarian Aid Reaches Northern Gaza, U.N. Agency Says
The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said humanitarian aid reached its shelters in northern Gaza on Monday for the first time since the war began.
—Alexandra Wexler, WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023
Israel had previously instructed Gazans to evacuate from northern Gaza, where the majority of the fighting has been focused, to the south to minimize civilian casualties.
—Selina Wang, ABC News, 28 Nov. 2023
Employing their military edge in the land, sea, and air, Israelis have gained control of most of northern Gaza, killed thousands of terrorists, uncovered stashes of weapons, and begun to dismantle or disable Hamas’s vast network of underground tunnels.
—The Editors, National Review, 28 Nov. 2023
The small space on the ground floor showed work by a photographer from the northern state of Sonora — endless desert horizons punctuated by fragments of industrial architecture.
—Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Noun
For northern pike, the DNR hopes to foster large sizes by disallowing anyone from keeping a northern that exceeds 30 inches.
—Tony Kennedy, Star Tribune, 25 Mar. 2021
Most puffers have very tiny mouths, and northerns are no exception.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 23 Aug. 2023
Walleyes or northerns were the target for the Governor's Fishing Opener The water temperature was 48 degrees and the walleyes, Wisconsin's favorite game fish, would likely be at the tail end of their spawning period or just after it.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 7 May 2023
Carey thought trolling would be the best way to cover water and find some active fish, likely walleyes or northerns.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 7 May 2023
One northern was chunky and offered a good fight, and the walleyes would contribute to a feast Mike planned that evening for visiting cousins, who before dinner would splash into Cross Lake to cool off and afterward would watch the sun set below the distant pines.
—Star Tribune, 22 July 2021
Resources The highest rates of botulism in the United States occur in our northern-most state Alaska, and is attributed to changing methods of fermenting meat and the loss of indigenous culinary knowledge among Native Alaskans.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 23 May 2013
Bartz, who has fished for many decades in the best waters of Wisconsin and Ontario, caught the biggest walleye and northern of his life on Seseganaga.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 13 June 2022
My turn was next, with a 21-inch northern on the same type of lure.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7 May 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'northern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English northerne, from Old English; akin to Old High German nordrōni northern, Old English north north
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of northern was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing northern
Dictionary Entries Near northern
Cite this Entry
“Northern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northern. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
northern
adjective
north·ern
ˈnȯr-t͟hə(r)n
1
capitalized
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the North
2
: lying toward or coming from the north
a northern storm
northernmost
adjective
-ˌmōst
More from Merriam-Webster on northern
Nglish: Translation of northern for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of northern for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about northern
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