northward

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

north·ward ˈnȯrth-wərd

: toward the north

northwards

ˈnȯrth-wərdz

adverb

northward

2 of 2

noun

: northward direction or part

sail to the northward

Examples of northward in a Sentence

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.

Adverb or adjective

Much of this heat and humidity stemmed from remnants of a tropical storm building along the Gulf of California and the eastern Pacific, pushing an influx of moisture northward into Southern California. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 That moisture is being pulled northward by an upper-level trough — a low-pressure area in the atmosphere — and the resulting instability may produce thunderstorms and showers. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

The fireball entered the atmosphere somewhere over Utah and passed northwards, leaving the atmosphere over Alberta, Canada about 100 seconds later. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Eastern North Pacific Basin – From the Equator northward, east of 140°W longitude, including western coastal areas of Mexico, and Central and South America. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for northward

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of northward was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Kids Definition

northward

adverb or adjective

north·ward

ˈnȯrth-wərd

: toward the north

northwards

-wərdz

adverb

northward

adverb or adjective

noun

Examples of northward in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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