west

1 of 3

adverb

: to, toward, or in the west

west

2 of 3

adjective

1
: situated toward or at the west
the west exit
2
: coming from the west
a west wind

west

3 of 3

noun

1
a
: the general direction of sunset : the direction to the left of one facing north
b
: the compass point directly opposite to east
2
capitalized
a
: regions or countries lying to the west of a specified or implied point of orientation
b
: the noncommunist countries of Europe and America
3
: the end of a church opposite the chancel
4
often capitalized
a
: the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the west or at the left of a diagram
b
: a person (such as a bridge player) occupying this position during a specified activity

Examples of west in a Sentence

Adverb They drove west after they got off the highway. They live just west of here. Adjective cities on the west coast Noun There's a beautiful pond to the west of the trail. We will be traveling into the city from the west. If that way is east, then this way is west. Floods have caused extensive damage in the West. Come explore the natural wonders of the American West. policies foreign to the West
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
Jose Morales, 48, was convicted by a jury in April of murder and evidence tampering in Holloway's killing, which took place inside her home in Ansonia, about 10 miles west of New Haven. CBS News, 14 July 2025 Tractors will leave from Mackinaw City between 8:45 and 9 a.m. Visitors can stop by the staging area on Central Avenue 2 miles west of Mackinaw City from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5, the visitors bureau says. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
The following roads will be closed ahead of the festival, according to Department of Public Works permits: The west side of North Franklin Place from East Brady Street to approximately 50 feet north will be closed from 11 a.m. July 25 to noon July 27. Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025 Wednesday: Throckmorton Street between West Fifth Street and West Sixth Street, the west side only. Brayden Garcia july 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025
Noun
The 337-student district, west of San Angelo, has done everything to recruit educators: create staff housing, offer generous health care packages and promote the district’s quality teaching environment. Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 Located in the Northwest region of Mexico, neighbor to the U.S. state of California and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to its west and the Sea of Cortez to its east, Baja California features a wide range of breathtaking landscapes from beaches to vineyards, deserts and mountains. Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for west

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German westar to the west and probably to Latin vesper evening, Greek hesperos

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

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

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“West.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/west. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

west

1 of 3 adverb
: to or toward the west

west

2 of 3 adjective
1
: situated toward or at the west
the west entrance
2
: coming from the west
a west wind

west

3 of 3 noun
1
: the direction of sunset : the compass point opposite to east
2
capitalized
a
: regions or countries west of a point that is mentioned or understood
b
: the countries of Europe and the Americas that are not communist

Biographical Definition

West 1 of 4

biographical name (1)

Benjamin 1738–1820 American painter

West

2 of 4

biographical name (2)

Nathanael 1903–1940 originally Nathan Wallenstein Weinstein American novelist

West

3 of 4

biographical name (3)

Dame Rebecca 1892–1983 pseudonym of Cicily Isabel Andrews née Fairfield English critic and novelist

West

4 of 4

biographical name (4)

Thomas see de la warr

More from Merriam-Webster on west

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