eastern

adjective

east·​ern ˈē-stərn How to pronounce eastern (audio)
1
Eastern : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated East
2
Eastern
a
: of, relating to, or being the Christian churches originating in the church of the Eastern Roman Empire
b
: eastern orthodox
3
a
: lying toward the east
b
: coming from the east
an eastern wind

Examples of eastern in a Sentence

They live in the eastern part of the state. the eastern shore of the river
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kosup said a key challenge of determining the right ways to retrofit the bridge is the need to maintain the width of two navigational channels on the bridge’s eastern side near San Diego. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026 Search aircraft and ships on Tuesday were scouring the area where the cargo ship MV Ocean Winner reportedly sunk Saturday about 276 miles (444 kilometers) from the Paradip coast of India's eastern Odisha state. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 The system, Invest 96, is creating an area of showers and thunderstorms in the far eastern Atlantic and is expected to move west or west-northwest, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory. — Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 Dark, light-absorbing particles turn into light-scattering particles, transforming dark, dense plumes into the milky white haze seen drifting across the eastern skies. — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eastern

Word History

Etymology

Middle English estern, from Old English ēasterne; akin to Old High German ōstrōni eastern, Old English ēast east

First Known Use

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

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

Phrases Containing eastern

Rhymes for eastern

See All Rhymes for eastern

Browse Nearby Words

eastermost
eastern
eastern apple box
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eastern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eastern. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

eastern

adjective
east·​ern ˈē-stərn How to pronounce eastern (audio)
1
capitalized : of, relating to, or like that of the East
Eastern religion
2
: lying toward or coming from the east
easternmost
-ˌmōst How to pronounce eastern (audio)
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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