northwestern

adjective

north·​west·​ern nȯr(th)-ˈwe-stərn 

1

often Northwestern : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated Northwest

2

: lying toward or coming from the northwest

northwesternmost

nȯr(th)-ˈwe-stərn-ˌmōst 

adjective

Examples of northwestern in a Sentence

the northwestern corner of the state

Recent Examples on the Web

Republicans zoned in on Districts One, which includes part of Cincinnati, and Nine, which encompasses most of the northwestern portion of the state. — Connor Greene, Time, 8 Nov. 2026

Another 18 satellites for China’s SpaceSail Internet network launched Tuesday (Monday, US time) from a spaceport in the country’s northwestern desert. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026

Northwestern faces an Iowa defense that shut out Wisconsin 30-0 last weekend. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

House District 14 represents northern and northwestern parts of Olathe. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for northwestern

• southwestern
• western

Kids Definition

northwestern

adjective

north·​west·​ern nȯrth-ˈwes-tərn 

1

often capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Northwest

2

: lying toward or coming from the northwest