# eastern

/ˈistɝn/ (US) · /ˈiːstən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/eastern
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. geographical direction

adjective · CEFR B1

located in or facing the east.

For teachers: situated in, facing, or moving toward the east.

- The eastern side of the island gets the most sun in the morning.
- The explorers established their base camp on the eastern slope of the mountain to avoid the prevailing winds from the west.

### 2. regional or political

adjective · CEFR B1

related to a specific region known as 'the East', like Eastern Europe or East Asia.

For teachers: pertaining to a region designated as the East by geopolitical or cultural convention.

- Many eastern countries have seen rapid economic growth in recent years.
- Diplomatic relations between western and eastern nations remained strained throughout the latter half of the twentieth century.

### 3. religious tradition

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

related to the Christian churches that started in the Eastern Roman Empire, like the Orthodox Church.

For teachers: relating to the Christian churches originating in the Byzantine Empire or other regions of the Near East.

- The city is famous for its beautiful eastern churches and ancient icons.
- The scholar specialised in Eastern Orthodox liturgy, focusing specifically on the historical development of the Greek rites.

## Examples

- The sun rises over the eastern mountains every morning.
- Many eastern European countries joined the European Union during the expansion in 2004.
- The architect incorporated several traditional eastern design elements into the modern skyscraper to reflect the city's diverse cultural heritage.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.