# northeast

/ˌnɔɹˈθist/ (US) · /nˈɔːθiːst/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. compass point

noun · CEFR A2

the direction that is exactly halfway between north and east.

For teachers: the intercardinal compass point situated at a bearing of 45°.

- The wind was blowing from the northeast, bringing cold air from the sea.
- The navigator adjusted the course to the northeast to avoid the shallow waters near the coastline.

### 2. a region

noun · CEFR B1

a part of a country or area that is in the northeast direction.

For teachers: a specific geographical region located in the northeastern portion of a country or territory.

- Winters in the northeast of the country are usually very snowy.
- Economic growth in the northeast has outpaced the national average due to a recent surge in the technology sector.

### 3. located in or toward

adjective · CEFR A2

describes something that is in the northeast or faces that way.

For teachers: situated in, toward, or facing the northeast.

- They live in the northeast corner of the city near the park.
- The architect designed the northeast facade with large windows to capture the early morning light without the heat of the afternoon sun.

### 4. moving toward

adverb · CEFR A2

moving toward the direction of the northeast.

For teachers: in a direction toward the northeast.

- The birds began flying northeast as the weather started to get warmer.
- The storm system is expected to move northeast across the plains before dissipating over the Great Lakes.

## Examples

- The wind is blowing from the northeast.
- Many people travel to the northeast of the country during the autumn to see the leaves change colour.
- The economic recovery has been particularly slow in the Northeast, where the decline of heavy industry left a vacuum that service-sector growth has yet to fill.

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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.