east

east · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The direction where the sun rises; one of the four cardinal directions.

  2. 2.

    The eastern part of a place, region, or country.

  3. 3.

    (The East) Asia, especially China and Japan.

  4. 4.

    Situated in, directed toward, or facing the east.

  5. 5.

    Toward the east.

Related words

Antonyms: west
See also: north, south, west
Synonyms: orient

Etymology

From Old English east, from Proto-Germanic austra-, from Proto-Indo-European aus- meaning "to shine," related to aurora meaning "dawn." The direction is named for where the sun rises.