# northwest

Pronunciation: say "north-WEST" US /nɔɹθˈwɛst/, UK /nɔːθˈwɛst/

## Noun

1. The intercardinal compass point halfway between west and north, lying at a bearing of 315 degrees.
   - Simple: The point on a compass that lies halfway between west and north.
   - _After losing the path, the hikers steered toward the northwest to reach the ridge._
   - _The needle settled firmly on the northwest before the next gust spun it again._

## Adjective

2. Located toward, or facing in the direction of, the northwest.
   - Simple: Placed toward the northwest, or facing that way.
   - _The northwest slope of the hill stays in shadow until late morning._
   - _Surveyors marked the northwest boundary of the estate with stone posts._
4. Belonging to, located in, or characteristic of the northwest region; northwestern.
   - Simple: Belonging to or found in the northwest part of a place.
   - _Northwest cuisine relies heavily on fresh salmon and wild berries._
   - _The museum's northwest collection features carvings from coastal communities._
5. Coming from the direction of the northwest; northwesterly.
   - Simple: Blowing or coming from the direction of the northwest.
   - _A steady northwest breeze pushed the sailboats back toward the harbor._
   - _Forecasters warned of a sharp northwest airflow bringing freezing temperatures._

## Adverb

3. Toward or in the direction of the northwest.
   - Simple: In or toward the direction of the northwest.
   - _The geese flew northwest as the first cold weather arrived._
   - _From the lookout, the road runs northwest across the open plain._

## Origin

From Middle English northwest, from Old English norþwest, which was simply north combined with west.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/northwest (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).