1
: situated toward or at the west
the west exit
2
: coming from the west
a west wind
1
a
: the general direction of sunset : the direction to the left of one facing north
b
: the compass point directly opposite to east
2
capitalized
a
: regions or countries lying to the west of a specified or implied point of orientation
b
: the noncommunist countries of Europe and America
3
: the end of a church opposite the chancel
4
often capitalized
a
: the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the west or at the left of a diagram
b
: a person (such as a bridge player) occupying this position during a specified activity
Examples of west in a Sentence
Adverb
They drove west after they got off the highway.
They live just west of here.
Adjective
cities on the west coast
Noun
There's a beautiful pond to the west of the trail.
We will be traveling into the city from the west.
If that way is east, then this way is west.
Floods have caused extensive damage in the West.
Come explore the natural wonders of the American West.
policies foreign to the West
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Overflow parking lot west of the pickleball courts.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 26 Dec. 2024
Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
The outlook went on to say that up to 5 inches of rain could fall in the region's west side valleys and up to 10 inches in the mountains and along the coast.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
Over 9,000 were in attendance for Maher’s debut in Bristol, a city in the west of England, just over 100 miles from London, known, among other things, for being the birthplace of street artist Banksy.
—Caoimhe O'Neill, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for west 
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Adverb
Radar is indicating strong rotation west of Audubon, tracking NE toward Talisheek, likely remaining west of I-59 near Picayune.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Overflow parking lot west of the pickleball courts.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Sierra Leone was the departure point for thousands of enslaved west African people.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
The outlook went on to say that up to 5 inches of rain could fall in the region's west side valleys and up to 10 inches in the mountains and along the coast.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
Isolated in remote Xinjiang, their historical homeland in China’s far west, the Uyghurs have no hope of defending themselves against Beijing’s repression without support from the international community.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
Over 9,000 were in attendance for Maher’s debut in Bristol, a city in the west of England, just over 100 miles from London, known, among other things, for being the birthplace of street artist Banksy.
—Caoimhe O'Neill, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for west
Dictionary Entries Near west
Cite this Entry
“West.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/west. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
west
1 of 3 adverb
: to or toward the west
west
2 of 3 adjective1
: situated toward or at the west
the west entrance
2
: coming from the west
a west wind
west
3 of 3 noun1
: the direction of sunset : the compass point opposite to east
2
capitalized
a
: regions or countries west of a point that is mentioned or understood
b
: the countries of Europe and the Americas that are not communist
Biographical Definition
West
2 of 4biographical name (2)
Nathanael 1903–1940 originally Nathan Wallenstein Weinstein American novelist
West
3 of 4biographical name (3)
Dame Rebecca 1892–1983 pseudonym of Cicily Isabel Andrews née Fairfield English critic and novelist
West
4 of 4biographical name (4)
Thomas see de la warr
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