Northeastward

Northeastward is an English directional term used to describe movement, orientation, or location toward the northeast. It functions as an adjective when modifying a noun, as in “northeastward movement,” and as an adverb in sentences such as “the train traveled northeastward along the coast.” The word is formed by combining the cardinal direction “northeast” with the directional suffix “-ward,” yielding “toward the northeast.”

In British English, the corresponding form “northeastwards” is also common, while “northeastward” remains widespread in American usage. The related term “northeasterly” is more common when describing winds or weather originating from the northeast.

Usage notes: Northeastward is typically used in geographic, navigational, or descriptive writing to indicate a direction of travel or spread that is toward the northeast. It can describe routes, patterns, or trends. The term is generally used without a hyphen in modern writing.

See also: northeast; northward; -ward suffix; northeasterly.