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

Moisture blown northward from the Gulf of Mexico will bring humidity to the affected regions, too, according to Jacob Asherman, an NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist who spoke with the Associated Press. —Michael Bartiromo, The Hill, 20 June 2025

Moisture blown northward from the Gulf of Mexico is fueling the muggy weather, Asherman told The Associated Press. —Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

Noun

At this point, by late Thursday or Thursday night, this storm would be moving away from the Northeast either out to sea or northward into Atlantic Canada, Pydynowski said. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

The orientation of the magnetic field will either be a northward or southward Bz, or a combination of the two, and that magnetic orientation determines how strongly the incoming solar storm will interact with Earth's magnetic field. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 20 May 2025

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