northwesterly

adverb or adjective

north·​west·​er·​ly nȯr(th)-ˈwe-stər-lē How to pronounce northwesterly (audio)
1
: from the northwest
2
: toward the northwest

Examples of northwesterly 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.
Residents can expect winds to be westerly becoming northwesterly 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 to 35 mph and humidity as low as 20 percent. Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025 Winds begin in the westerly direction in the morning and are expected to shift to northwesterly and then north by the afternoon, Cronce said. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024 Behind the cold front, temperatures are expected to plunge very quickly as winds turn to northwesterly and remaining gusty. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024 The only sign of our weak pre-dawn cold front having passed through are northwesterly breezes gusting near 20 mph a few times. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for northwesterly

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of northwesterly was circa 1611

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Cite this Entry

“Northwesterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northwesterly. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

northwesterly

adverb or adjective
north·​west·​er·​ly nȯrth-ˈwes-tər-lē How to pronounce northwesterly (audio)
1
: from the northwest
2
: toward the northwest

More from Merriam-Webster on northwesterly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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