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

Major to extreme heat risk ahead Heat and humidity will intensify in the South this weekend and then expand northward toward the Midwest and Great Lakes by early next week. — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Protestants feared that Rome’s influence might spread across the East Coast, moving southward from French Canada and northward from Spanish Florida. — Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 24 June 2026

Noun

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

Cattlemen followed, traveling westward from Queensland into the northern section of the territory and northward from South Australia into the arid beauty of the MacDonnell Ranges country of central Australia. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 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