eastern

adjective

east·​ern ˈē-stərn 

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

More than 30 were arrested Tuesday and several police injured in the eastern city of Liege, and smaller protests were held in Brussels and other cities. — Nicolas Garriga, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

Challenging market conditions mean construction is yet to start at Grand Balaton, an upscale residential development in Balatonakarattya at the eastern end of the lake, about an hour's drive from central Budapest. — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

The hurricane center’s initial projections said the center of Isaias could come onshore late Friday or early Saturday somewhere between eastern Louisiana and the western Florida Panhandle. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Beaches and golf courses line the eastern coasts, while the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west offer hiking, biking, and camping. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing eastern

• eastern bluebird
• eastern equine encephalitis
• eastern equine encephalomyelitis
• eastern hemisphere
• eastern rat snake
• eastern time
• eastern white pine

Rhymes for eastern

• northeastern
• southeastern

Kids Definition

eastern

adjective

east·​ern ˈē-stərn 

1

capitalized : of, relating to, or like that of the East

Eastern religion

2

: lying toward or coming from the east

easternmost

-ˌmōst 

adjective