western

1 of 2

adjective

west·​ern ˈwe-stərn How to pronounce western (audio)
1
a
: coming from the west
a western storm
b
: situated or lying toward the west
islands in the western half of the archipelago
2
or Western : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated West: such as
a
: steeped in or stemming from the Greco-Roman traditions
Western culture
b
: of or relating to the noncommunist countries of Europe and America
Western powers
c
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the American West
Western clothes
western music
3
Western : of or relating to the Roman Catholic or Protestant segment of Christianity
Western liturgies

western

2 of 2

noun

1
: one that is produced in or characteristic of a western region and especially the western U.S.
2
often capitalized : a novel, story, motion picture, or broadcast dealing with life in the western U.S. especially during the latter half of the 19th century

Examples of western in a Sentence

Adjective the western part of the state Old western movies are my favorites.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
On the western side, where the sunrise occurs at a later clock-on-the-wall time, studies find lower wages and higher rates of cancer, suicide, and car accidents. TIME, 9 Mar. 2024 These devices have been utilized in Western countries as well, but there’s much less cultural acceptance for them. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2024 Indigenous to parts of western Asia, northern Africa, and southern Europe, this plant has spread to home gardens and markets around the world. Carly Westerfield, Bon Appétit, 9 Mar. 2024 After Western contact, the architecture evolved to incorporate joinery, with techniques that came out of shipbuilding, Faulkner says, and skilled carpenters from Japan popularized pocket doors and single-wall construction. Kristina Linnea Garcia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 According to Mattel Shop, a doll featuring Robbie in her pink, western theme outfit in the film is available for $50. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Mar. 2024 Records indicate the 46-year-old CEO of The Trade Desk was the buyer who recently scooped up a significant property in the far western reaches of Malibu. James McClain, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 With climate change compounding the strains on the Colorado River, seven Western states are starting to consider long-term plans for reducing water use to prevent the river’s reservoirs from reaching critically low levels in the years to come. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Other Ukrainian activists also badgered Western museums to review their collections. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
As fans will recall, Gilbert played lead Laura Ingalls, Grassle portrayed her mother Caroline and Arngrim took on the role of classmate Nellie Oleson on the NBC western. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, Outlaw, which showcases westerns, will reach 87% of households. Jack Dunn, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Unlike old-school westerns, The Power of the Dog is a dark, twisted, slow burn of a film that hinges on emotion, manipulation, secrets, and desire. EW.com, 8 Nov. 2023 Who better to curate a series of screenings of classic westerns at AFI Silver Theatre? Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 As Yellowstone fans know, the beloved western is ending at the end of its fifth season. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 29 Feb. 2024 The Hollywood western, of course, mythologized this country’s deserts and prairies as dramatic vistas against which such filmmakers as John Ford, Howard Hawks and Sam Peckinpah could foreground their rugged characters. Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024 Directed by Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog is a 1920s western based on the book of the same name by Thomas Savage that follows Phil, a gruff cowboy, and his brother's new family who have recently moved onto the ranch. EW.com, 8 Nov. 2023 Felipe Gálvez directs this historical western about three men who are sent on a violent journey through the South American wilderness by a wealthy businessman. Zachary Barnes, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'western.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English westerne, from Old English; akin to Old High German westrōni western, Old English west

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near western

Cite this Entry

“Western.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/western. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

western

1 of 2 adjective
west·​ern ˈwes-tərn How to pronounce western (audio)
1
capitalized : of, relating to, or resembling that of the West
2
: lying toward or coming from the west
a western storm

western

2 of 2 noun
: a story, film, or radio or television show about life in the western U.S. in the last part of the 19th century

More from Merriam-Webster on western

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