northern

1 of 2

adjective

north·​ern ˈnȯr-t͟hərn How to pronounce northern (audio)
ˈnȯr-t͟hən
1
capitalized
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated North
b
: of, relating to, or constituting the northern dialect
2
a
: lying toward the north
b
: coming from the north
a northern storm

northern

2 of 2

noun

1
capitalized : the dialect of English spoken in the part of the U.S. north of a line running northwest through central New Jersey, below the northern tier of counties in Pennsylvania, through northern Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, across central Iowa, and through the northwest corner of South Dakota
2
: pike entry 3 sense 1a

Examples of northern in a Sentence

Adjective the northern part of the state
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Ferocious storms barreled through northern Alabama late Wednesday, leaving untold paths of damage as persistent storms delayed the start of surveys by National Weather Service teams. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024 The 105-mile-long river flows through Tennessee and northern Mississippi. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 9 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for northern 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'northern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English northerne, from Old English; akin to Old High German nordrōni northern, Old English north north

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of northern was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing northern

Dictionary Entries Near northern

northermost

northern

northern anchovy

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Northern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northern. Accessed 14 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

northern

adjective
north·​ern
ˈnȯr-t͟hə(r)n
1
capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of the North
2
: lying toward or coming from the north
a northern storm
northernmost
-ˌmōst
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on northern

Nglish: Translation of northern for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of northern for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about northern

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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