DictionaryAI

western

WES-turn/ˈwɛstɚn/UKWES-tuhn/ˈwɛstən/

Noun pluralwesterns

5 meanings of western

Practice

  1. 1
    directionadjective
    Found in, facing, or coming from the west side of a place.

    The sun dropped behind the western hills.

    We hiked along the western edge of the lake.

    UsagePut it before a noun: the western hills. The one farthest west is the westernmost.

    Similarwest, westerly, westward

    Oppositeeastern, east

  2. 2
    cultureadjective
    Relating to Europe and the Americas and their way of life, not the East.

    Many western countries share similar ideas about law and government.

    She studied both eastern and western traditions of cooking.

    Similaroccidental

    Oppositeeastern

  3. 3
    cowboy filmnouncountable
    A movie or story set in the American West long ago, often about cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen.

    We watched an old western on Saturday night.

    He loves westerns full of gunfights and horse chases.

    Note
  4. 4
    cowboy-likeadjective
    Like the cowboys and cattle farms of the American West, mostly in clothes, horse riding, or music.

    He wore a western shirt and a big hat to the barn dance.

    She takes western riding lessons at a ranch outside town.

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    windadjective
    Used of wind that blows from the west toward the east.

    A cold western wind swept across the open plains.

    The western breeze carried the smell of the sea inland.

    UsageA western wind comes from the west. You can also say westerly.

    Similarwesterly, west

    Oppositeeasterly, east

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Old English westerne, made from the word for "west."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts