1
: situated toward or at the east
an east window
2
: coming from the east
an east wind
1
a
: the general direction of sunrise : the direction toward the right of one facing north
b
: the compass point directly opposite to west
2
capitalized
a
: regions lying to the east of a specified or implied point of orientation
b
: regions having a culture derived from ancient non-European especially Asian areas
3
: the altar end of a church
4
often capitalized
a
: the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the east or at the right of a diagram
b
: a person (such as a bridge player) occupying this position in the course of a specified activity
Examples of east in a Sentence
Adjective
the east side of town
Noun
The city is framed by mountain ranges to the east and west.
The wind blew from the east.
This summer has been unusually hot in the East.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
Tsunami Warnings are in effect for Hawaii and parts of Alaska and the U.S. West Coast, while British Columbia is under a Tsunami Advisory after the earthquake struck just east of Petropavlovsk, Russia, according to FOX Weather.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 30 July 2025
The village reached an agreement in February for a 147-room dual-brand hotel to be built by the end of this year on the far east side of the Route 6 frontage.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2025
In the north east of England, Sunderland are causing a stir.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for east
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Adverb
Zilber developed Caledonia Corporate Park, which is just east of Interstate 94 at the County Highway K/Northwestern Avenue interchange.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
Tsunami Warnings are in effect for Hawaii and parts of Alaska and the U.S. West Coast, while British Columbia is under a Tsunami Advisory after the earthquake struck just east of Petropavlovsk, Russia, according to FOX Weather.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
Adjective
First responders in November 2021 found a 2011 Chrysler Sedan on fire in an east side neighborhood, and officers soon discovered Ail Smith Jr., 47, inside.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 30 July 2025
The village reached an agreement in February for a 147-room dual-brand hotel to be built by the end of this year on the far east side of the Route 6 frontage.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Noun
Coyotes are fascinating creatures that once weren’t found east of the Mississippi River.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2025
In the north east of England, Sunderland are causing a stir.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for east
Cite this Entry
“East.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/east. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
east
1 of 3 adverb
: to or toward the east
east
2 of 3 adjective1
: located toward or at the east
the east door of the school
2
: coming from the east
an east wind
east
3 of 3 noun1
a
: the general direction of sunrise
b
: the compass point directly opposite to west
2
capitalized
: regions or countries east of a specific place
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