Northwest: meaning, definitions and examples

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northwest

 

[ ˌnɔrθˈwɛst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

geographical direction

Northwest refers to one of the four cardinal directions, lying between north and west on a compass. It is often used in navigation and geography to denote a specific direction or region. The term can also describe a location, indicating a place that is situated to the northwest of another. In expressions of wind direction, it identifies the source of the wind coming from that part of the compass. In broader applications, it can refer to cultural or historical areas, such as the Northwest Territories in Canada.

Synonyms

NW, northwesterly, northwestward

Examples of usage

  • The village is located in the northwest of the country.
  • The wind was blowing from the northwest.
  • He traveled northwest in search of new opportunities.

Translations

Translations of the word "northwest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 noroeste

🇮🇳 उत्तर-पश्चिम

🇩🇪 Nordwest

🇮🇩 barat laut

🇺🇦 південно-західний

🇵🇱 północno-zachodni

🇯🇵 北西

🇫🇷 nord-ouest

🇪🇸 noroeste

🇹🇷 kuzeybatı

🇰🇷 북서쪽

🇸🇦 الشمال الغربي

🇨🇿 severozápad

🇸🇰 severozápad

🇨🇳 西北

🇸🇮 severozahod

🇮🇸 norðvestur

🇰🇿 солтүстік-батыс

🇬🇪 ჩრდილო-დასავლეთი

🇦🇿 şimal-qərb

🇲🇽 noroeste

Word origin

The term 'northwest' has been in use since the late Middle Ages, deriving from the Old English 'norð' (north) and 'westerne' (western). Its origins can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic roots, where 'norþ' described the northern cardinal point and 'westa' indicated the western direction. Historically, navigation relied heavily on cardinal directions, and the term 'northwest' became crucial for sailors and travelers as they explored both land and sea. The word gained further prominence during the Age of Exploration in the 15th to 17th centuries when explorers used it to chart unexplored territories. Over time, 'northwest' has maintained its importance in both geographical and cultural contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,675 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.