: 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
Example Sentences
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 WestSee More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
The home is about 20 miles west of Buckingham Palace. Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2022 Capitol Peak is located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area, which is about 14 miles west of Aspen, Colorado. Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2022 Atmautluak is west of Bethel in Southwest Alaska and has a population of 386, according to the Census. James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Sep. 2022 The location was 10 miles west of Cullman, said Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 19 Aug. 2022 The Taylor County Courthouse is eight miles west in Butler, medical care even farther. Kevin Lee, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2022 Porter confirmed in a news briefing Saturday night that Marlow was captured in Lawrence, Kansas, which is about 600 miles west of Butler Township.CBS News, 6 Aug. 2022 Wells, known as the nation’s smallest city and a tourist attraction for its 800-year-old cathedral, is five miles west. Michael Kaminer, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2022 As of Saturday afternoon, the fire was reported to be nine miles west of them, just over a ridge.Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2022
Adjective
Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards, who suffered a concussion when she was knocked to the ground while battling rioters outside the west front of the Capitol, saw Sicknick grab his head and sit down after he was sprayed. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2022 Another great suburban choice is Apolis Greek Street Food in west suburban Lisle. Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 The concourses were expanded on the west upper deck prior to the 2020 season to better service those fans seated in this area, especially during entry and exit. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 30 Aug. 2022 The daily coldest and warmest temperatures recorded in the United States are almost always west of the Mississippi, according to National Weather Service data.BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2022 Lee had flown into the west entrance of Halibut Cove, picked up the passengers and started taxiing back out of the cove and into Kachemak Bay. Megan Pacer, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Aug. 2022 The west entrance from Friars Road and main entrance on Mission Village Drive are ready.San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2022 Winds out of the west early turn more northwest and northerly with time. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2022 This two-bedroom home in the west suburb of Parma has four beds and sleeps seven. Paris Wolfe, cleveland, 8 Aug. 2022
Noun
As of late Thursday, Kay was expected to veer off to the west by early Friday, roughly when it is located just off Ensenada. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 To the west, showers were more persistent, adding at least a couple tenths of an inch of rain in spots such as Dulles. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 The weather service said a trough of low pressure has been parked to the west of Alabama and won’t move much, which is helping set off the rain showers that have been persistent over the weekend. Leigh Morgan, al, 5 Sep. 2022 Another blaze, the Mountain Fire, that started 15 miles to the west near the city of Gazelle burned more than 8,000 acres and was 10 percent contained as of late Sunday. Harold Maass, The Week, 5 Sep. 2022 For those of you who haven’t stopped by the transit center — with its web-like, white metal skin that extends from Beale Street almost three blocks to the west, with alleys on either side — here’s a thumbnail history. John King, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Sep. 2022 The plan includes taking those buildings down as well as clearing part of the 7-acre undeveloped tract at 505 Day Hill Road, which is just to the west. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2022 The parish’s first pastor chose its name after the patron saint of travelers since commerce and travel were increasing to the west, largely because of the railroad. Carol Kovach, cleveland, 30 Aug. 2022 Forecast models take this system to the west, staying north of the Caribbean Islands and curving to the north, avoiding the Bahamas. Jennifer Gray, CNN, 30 Aug. 2022 See More
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