northward

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

north·​ward ˈnȯrth-wərd 

: toward the north

northwards

ˈnȯrth-wərdz 

adverb

northward

2 of 2

noun

: northward direction or part

sail to the northward

Examples of northward in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb or adjective

Category 4 Hurricane Lowell is forecast to turn northward over the weekend and take a path uncomfortably close to Kauai on Labor Day. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

The microalgae bloom — stretching more than a dozen miles at least, according to Bar-Zeev — is believed to have originated in the Nile Delta and traveled northward with the sea’s currents up Israel’s coast. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Noun

The fireball entered the atmosphere somewhere over Utah and passed northwards, leaving the atmosphere over Alberta, Canada about 100 seconds later. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Eastern North Pacific Basin – From the Equator northward, east of 140°W longitude, including western coastal areas of Mexico, and Central and South America. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

northward

adverb or adjective

north·​ward

ˈnȯrth-wərd

: toward the north

northwards

-wərdz

adverb