westward

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

west·​ward ˈwes-twərd How to pronounce westward (audio)
: toward the west
westwards adverb

westward

2 of 2

noun

: westward direction or part
sail to the westward

Examples of westward in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb or adjective
Moscow invaded in 2014 and then again in 2022 to stop Kyiv's move westward, and said Ukraine's ambitions to join NATO were an intolerable security threat. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025 The document laid out plans for the Polish army to retreat westward to the Vistula River, which runs through the center of Poland, in case of an invasion from the east by Russia. arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
Continuing westward, Mars formed a different type of isosceles triangle with Pollux and Castor on Feb. 2, with Pollux marking the vertex and Mars and Castor forming the base. Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2025 The high-pressure system may 'retrograde' westward toward the Gulf of Alaska, in the opposite direction of motion of typical weather systems. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for westward

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of westward was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Westward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/westward. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

westward

1 of 2 adverb or adjective
west·​ward ˈwes-twərd How to pronounce westward (audio)
: toward the west
westwards adverb

westward

2 of 2 noun
: westward direction or part

More from Merriam-Webster on westward

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!