northern

1 of 2

adjective

north·​ern ˈnȯr-t͟hərn How to pronounce northern (audio)
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

northern

2 of 2

noun

1
capitalized : the dialect of English spoken in the part of the U.S. north of a line running northwest through central New Jersey, below the northern tier of counties in Pennsylvania, through northern Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, across central Iowa, and through the northwest corner of South Dakota
2

Examples of northern in a Sentence

Adjective the northern part of the state
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Elsewhere in the Northwest, northern Idaho and western Montana have been dealing with drought conditions for nearly three years. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025 The man suspected of shooting and critically wounding a police officer in northern Georgia on Friday night has been taken into custody after an hourslong manhunt, officials announced. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
Dozens of log pilings were sticking a foot or so above the water, ideal for bass and northerns. Don Shiner, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2025 The Upper Peninsula is the northern of Michigan's two peninsulas. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 13 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for northern

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Northern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northern. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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
-ˌmōst
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on northern

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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