north

1 of 3

adverb

ˈnȯrth 

: to, toward, or in the north

see also:

north of

north

2 of 3

adjective

1

: situated toward or at the north

the north entrance

2

: coming from the north

a north wind

north

3 of 3

noun

1

a

: the direction of the north terrestrial pole : the direction to the left of one facing east

b

: the compass point directly opposite to south

2

North

a

: regions or countries lying to the north of a specified or implied point of orientation

b

: the industrially and economically developed nations of the world compare south sense 5

3

often North

a

: the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the north or at the top of a diagram

b

: a person occupying this position in the course of a specified activity (such as the game of bridge)

Examples of north in a Sentence

Adverb

Turn north onto Elm Street.

It's a few miles north of here.

The bird is found as far north as Canada.

Noun

The wind is coming from the north.

The birds migrate from the North.

Parts of the North were hit hard by the storm.

I grew up in the North.

The American Civil War was between the North and the South.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Monee officers pursued them north on Interstate 57, terminating the chase near Interstate 80 as speeds and heavy traffic created a life safety issue, police said. — Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

As Jan races north along the canals, his unwanted passengers force him to confront a reality far removed from his own and to see life from a new perspective. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The west and north side renovation was completed in time for last year’s first game. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026

Apart from the conflict in the northwest and north-central regions of the West African country, an insurgency in the northeast has killed thousands of people and displaced millions of others, according to the United Nations. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Noun

In 2022, an ex-policeman armed with a gun and knife stormed into a nursery in the country's north and murdered 24 children and 12 adults in one of Thailand's deadliest massacres. — CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Saudi Arabia led a military coalition that intervened against the Houthis in Yemen in 2015 but failed to dislodge the group from the country’s north. — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German nord north and perhaps to Greek nerteros lower, infernal

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing north

• east by north
• magnetic north
• north by east
• north by west
• northeast by north
• north-northeast
• north-northwest
• north of
• north pole
• north-seeking pole
• northwest by north
• the north
• true north
• up north
• west by north

Rhymes for north

• fourth
• henceforth
• thenceforth

Kids Definition

north

1 of 3 adverb

ˈnȯ(ə)rth 

: to or toward the north

north

2 of 3 adjective

1

: placed or lying toward or at the north

the north entrance

2

: coming from the north

a north wind

north

3 of 3 noun

1

a

: the direction to the left of one facing east

b

: the compass point opposite to south

2

capitalized : regions or countries north of a point that is mentioned or understood

Biographical Definition

North 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

ˈnȯrth 

Douglass Cecil 1920–2015 American economist

North

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Frederick 1732–1792 Lord North English statesman; prime minister (1770–82)

North

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Sir Thomas 1535–?1603 English translator