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

One Sudanese family of ten had spent years living in the Kakuma refugee camp, in northwestern Kenya. —Annie Hylton, New Yorker, 14 May 2026

The famous Catatumbo Lightning takes place over a lake in northwestern Venezuela most nights of the year. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026

Northwestern recruit Nolan Ramoley went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for Brother Rice (21-9, 11-2), while Purdue Northwest commit Treylan Webster finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run. —Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026

The warmest temperatures are expected across far northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas, according to the weather service’s forecast discussion. —Kansas City Star, 11 May 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