northern

1 of 2

adjective

north·​ern ˈnȯr-t͟hərn 

ˈnȯr-t͟hən

1

capitalized

a

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated North

b

: of, relating to, or constituting the northern dialect

2

a

: lying toward the north

b

: coming from the north

a northern storm

northern

2 of 2

noun

1

capitalized : the dialect of English spoken in the part of the U.S. north of a line running northwest through central New Jersey, below the northern tier of counties in Pennsylvania, through northern Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, across central Iowa, and through the northwest corner of South Dakota

2

: pike entry 3 sense 1a

Examples of northern in a Sentence

Adjective

the northern part of the state

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Snow squalls are most common in northern parts of the United States, particularly near the Great Lakes, during the winter months of November through March. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

In Orange County, Democrat Derek Tran ousted Republican Rep. Michelle Steel, and in northern Los Angeles County, Democrat George Whitesides beat Republican Rep. Mike Garcia. —Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

Noun

For northern pike, the DNR hopes to foster large sizes by disallowing anyone from keeping a northern that exceeds 30 inches. —Tony Kennedy, Star Tribune, 25 Mar. 2021

Most puffers have very tiny mouths, and northerns are no exception. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 23 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English northerne, from Old English; akin to Old High German nordrōni northern, Old English north north

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing northern

• great northern bean
• northern corn rootworm
• northern fur seal
• northern giant hornet
• northern harrier
• northern hemisphere
• northern lights
• northern minke whale
• northern oriole
• northern pike
• northern spotted owl
• northern white cedar

Kids Definition

northern

adjective

north·​ern

ˈnȯr-t͟hə(r)n

1

capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of the North

2

: lying toward or coming from the north

a northern storm

northernmost

-ˌmōst

adjective