# northwest

/ˌnɔɹθˈwɛst/ (US) · /nɔːθwˈɛst/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the direction

noun · CEFR A2

the direction that is halfway between north and west.

For teachers: the intercardinal direction or compass point located at 315 degrees.

- The wind was blowing from the northwest all afternoon.
- The explorers adjusted their course toward the northwest, hoping to reach the mountain pass before the winter storms arrived.

### 2. a region

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: a geographical area or territory situated in the northwestern part of a larger region or country.

- It rains quite often in the northwest of the country.
- Economic development in the northwest has outpaced the rest of the province due to recent investments in renewable energy.

### 3. located in the northwest

adjective · CEFR A2

describes something that is in or toward the northwest.

For teachers: pertaining to, situated in, or facing the northwest.

- They live in the northwest corner of the city near the park.
- The northwest passage remained a primary objective for maritime explorers seeking a shorter route to the Pacific Ocean.

### 4. moving toward the northwest

adverb · CEFR A2

moving or looking toward the northwest.

For teachers: in a northwestern direction.

- We travelled northwest for three hours until we reached the coast.
- The storm system is currently moving northwest at twenty miles per hour and is expected to make landfall by midnight.

## Examples

- The wind is blowing from the northwest today.
- The tech industry has seen massive growth in the northwest of the country over the last decade.
- The explorers charted a course toward the northwest, hoping to find a passage through the mountains before the winter snows blocked their path.

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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.