DictionaryAI

eastern

adjective
EE-sturn/ˈi.stɚn/UKEE-stuhn/ˈiː.stən/

3 meanings of eastern

Practice

  1. 1
    in the eastadjective
    Found in, facing, or related to the direction where the sun rises.

    Like the side of your room where the sun comes in each morning.

    The eastern wall of the house gets the morning sun.

    They drove out to the eastern edge of the city.

    UsageUse a small e for part of a place (eastern France) and a capital in names like Eastern Europe.

    Similareast, eastward

    Oppositewestern

  2. 2
    Asianadjective
    Belonging to or coming from the countries of Asia, especially the Far East.

    She collected eastern art from China and Japan.

    The museum has a hall of eastern carpets and pottery.

    UsagePeople often write it with a capital E: Eastern art.

    SimilarAsian, oriental

    Oppositewestern, occidental

    Note
  3. 3
    from the eastadjective
    Blowing from the east, the way some winds do.

    An eastern wind brought cold air across the open plains.

    Sailors waited for the eastern breeze to fill their sails.

    UsageFor wind, people more often say east wind.

    Similareasterly

    Oppositewesterly

Practice

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Origin

From Old English ēasterne, meaning "eastern." It comes from "east" plus an ending.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts