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

capitalized

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 capitalized

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

Temperatures will soar into the 70s as far north as Washington, D.C. —Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Start at Piazza Garibaldi, the city’s main square, and wander north toward the Duomo (the main cathedral). —Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2024

Adjective

In north side districts, well under 50% of MPS students attend schools in that district. —Alan J Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024

North London Highgate The highgate neighborhood is a residential area in north London. —Anna Gordon, TIME, 20 June 2024

Noun

Maricopa County voters will determine the outcome of two competitive supervisor races, one in the southeast Valley and another in central and north Phoenix. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024

Following the national trends, indicating a very close race, Harris and Trump each garnered three votes between the six registered voters in Dixville Notch, a small New Hampshire north country town. —Kelsey Walsh, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024

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

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