northeastern

Northeastern is an adjective and demonym used to describe anything related to the northeast, the quadrant between north and east, or a specific northeastern region within a country. It is applied to geographic areas, climates, cultures, and institutions, and is often capitalized when part of a proper name.

In the United States, the term is commonly associated with the Northeastern United States, a region historically including the New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut) and often the Mid-Atlantic states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware). The word is also used in institutional names, such as Northeastern University, a private research university based in Boston, Massachusetts.

In China, Northeastern China, or Dongbei, refers to the three provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning. The area is known for its heavy industrial history and distinct dialects, and it borders Russia and the Sea of Japan.

Beyond formal regions, northeastern describes direction and climate-related concepts. Northeastern winds or a northeastern quadrant refer to positions or weather patterns coming from the northeast. The term should not be confused with the specific storm name nor'easter, which denotes a northeast Atlantic coast storm.