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

Mount Airy is located in northwestern North Carolina, just minutes from the Virginia border. —Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026

The view from Iran’s northwestern border was supposed to be magical. —Simon Maghakyan, Time, 30 Jan. 2026

Hurricanes form in tropical waters, while bomb cyclones occur over the northwestern Atlantic, northwestern Pacific and sometimes the Mediterranean Sea. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026

Located on Costa Rica's northwestern coast and bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Tamarindo is a place of beauty and relaxation. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 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