northern Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a dialect of Middle English that developed into Scottish Lallans
  2. adjective in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
    • Northern liberals
    • northern industry
    • northern cities
  3. adjective satellite situated in or oriented toward the north
    northerly.
    • the northern suburbs
    • going in a northerly direction
  4. adjective satellite coming from the north; used especially of wind
    northerly.
    • the north wind doth blow
    • a northern snowstorm
    • the winds are northerly
  5. adjective situated in or coming from regions of the north
    • the northern hemisphere
    • northern autumn colors

WordNet

North"ern adjective
Etymology
AS. nor&edh;erne.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to the north; being in the north, or nearer to that point than to the east or west.
  2. In a direction toward the north; as, to steer a northern course; coming from the north; as, a northern wind.

Webster 1913