1
: coming from the northwest
a northwest wind
2
: situated toward or at the northwest
the northwest corner
1
a
: the general direction between north and west
b
: the point midway between the north and west compass points
2
capitalized
: regions or countries lying to the northwest of a specified or implied point of orientation
Examples of northwest in a Sentence
Adverb
It's about 80 miles northwest of here.
I headed northwest on Route 1.
Adjective
the northwest corner of the building
Noun
A mountain range is in the northwest of the country.
We traveled throughout the Northwest.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024
As of Saturday morning, Milton was centered 220 miles northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, and 365 miles northwest of Veracruz, Mexico.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2024
John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
Southwest winds of 6 to 14 mph will shift to northwest winds with gusts of up to 31 mph.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
In This Article Villa Avellana Casa Los Olas Andaz Costa Rica Resort
The Hive
With its stunning biodiversity, round-the-clock security, and ultra-luxurious properties, the Papagayo Peninsula on Costa Rica’s northwest has become a magnet for celebrities.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for northwest 
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Adverb
Born in Laurens, South Carolina, a small town 70 miles northwest of the state capital, Taylor showed his interest in music early.
—Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024
As of Saturday morning, Milton was centered 220 miles northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, and 365 miles northwest of Veracruz, Mexico.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Breezy, with a northwest wind 13-20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
Southwest winds of 6 to 14 mph will shift to northwest winds with gusts of up to 31 mph.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
Cabo Verde Islands Maximum sustained winds: 70 mph Movement: northwest at 13 mph
Hurricane Milton spaghetti models
Special note about spaghetti models: Spaghetti model illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
In This Article Villa Avellana Casa Los Olas Andaz Costa Rica Resort
The Hive
With its stunning biodiversity, round-the-clock security, and ultra-luxurious properties, the Papagayo Peninsula on Costa Rica’s northwest has become a magnet for celebrities.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for northwest
Dictionary Entries Near northwest
Cite this Entry
“Northwest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northwest. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
northwest
1 of 3 adverb
north·west
nȯrth-ˈwest 
nautical
nȯr-ˈwest
: to or toward the northwest
northwest
2 of 3 noun1
: the direction between north and west
2
capitalized
: the regions or countries northwest of a point that is mentioned or understood
northwest
3 of 3 adjective1
: coming from the northwest
a northwest wind
2
: placed or lying toward or at the northwest
the northwest corner
Geographical Definition
North West
geographical name
variants
or Noordwes
ˌnȯrd-ˈwes
ˌnȯrt-
province of the northern part of the Republic of South Africa bordering Botswana area 44,861 square miles (116,190 square kilometers), population 3,509,953
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