# north

/ˈnɔɹθ/ (US) · /nˈɔːθ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the direction

noun · CEFR A1

the direction that is at the top of most maps.

For teachers: the cardinal point of the compass that is at 0 degrees, situated to the left of a person facing east.

- The birds fly north during the spring to find cooler weather.
- The hikers checked their compass frequently to ensure they were still heading due north through the dense forest.

### 2. a region

noun · CEFR A2

a part of a country or the world that is in the north.

For teachers: a specific geographic area or territory situated in the northern part of a country or the world.

- It is much colder in the north of the country during winter.
- Economic disparities between the industrialised North and the agrarian South have shaped the nation's political landscape for decades.

### 3. location or wind

adjective · CEFR A1

describing something that is in the north or a wind coming from the north.

For teachers: situated in or oriented toward the north; when referring to wind, it indicates the direction of origin.

- A cold north wind blew across the lake all afternoon.
- The north entrance of the stadium is reserved for staff and emergency vehicles during the tournament.

### 4. direction of travel

adverb · CEFR A1

towards the north.

For teachers: in a northerly direction; used as an adverb of direction.

- We drove north for three hours until we reached the border.
- The storm system is expected to track north throughout the evening, bringing heavy rain to the coastal provinces.

### 5. magnetism

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the part of a magnet that points toward the Earth's North Pole.

For teachers: the pole of a magnet that seeks the Earth's magnetic north pole.

- The north pole of one magnet will push away the north pole of another.
- In this experiment, students must identify the north and south poles of the unmarked bar magnets using a compass.

### 6. more than

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

more than a certain amount or number.

For teachers: indicating a quantity or value greater than the specified amount.

- The repairs to the car will cost us north of a thousand dollars.
- Market analysts predict that the company's valuation will remain north of fifty billion dollars despite the recent quarterly losses.

## Examples

- The birds fly north for the summer.
- Most of the major cities in this country are located in the north where the climate is cooler.
- Economic theorists often discuss the widening wealth gap between the global North and South, focusing on industrial capacity and access to international markets.

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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.