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
Under the new map, the district will shift down and westward to cover Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, Clearlake and Ukiah. Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026 The Nashville Predators moseyed westward for a California swing that started with a tie-breaking triumph against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, continued with another deadlock-loosening clash with the Kings on Monday and will wrap up versus the Ducks on Tuesday. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
Languages that developed along that westward overland route—such as Persian, Uzbek, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, modern Greek, and Czech—adopted words for tea that were closer to the Mandarin cha. Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Mar. 2026 At the beginning of the Iron Age, Phoenicians set out westwards, searching for valuable natural resources to be brought back and traded in the urbanized world of the eastern Mediterranean. Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026 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 14 Apr. 2026.

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

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