north

noun

• 1the direction in which a compass needle normally points, towards the horizon on the left-hand side of a person facing east, or the part of the horizon lying in this direction:a bitter wind blew from the north Mount Kenya is to the north of Nairobi
• the compass point corresponding to north: he drew a circle and marked north, south, east, and west
• a direction in space parallel to the earth’s axis of rotation and towards the point on the celestial sphere around which the stars appear to turn anticlockwise.

• 2the northern part of the world or of a specified country, region, or town:there will be heavy wintry showers, particularly in the north
• (usually the North) the northern part of England: he hired two lads from the North Cornishmen felt that the affairs of the North were too remote to interest them
• (usually the North) the NE states of the United States, especially those opposed to slavery during the Civil War: delegates from Virginia voted to join the North
• (usually the North) the industrialized and economically advanced nations of the world: the summit was likely to be a failure due to the North’s refusal to commit itself to safeguarding species diversity

• 3 (North) [as name] Bridge the player occupying a designated position at the table, sitting opposite and partnering South: North deals and opens one club

adjective

• 1lying towards, near, or facing the north:the north bank of the river the north door
• (of a wind) blowing from the north: they were sheltering from the north winds

• 2of or denoting the northern part of a specified country, region, or town:North Wales North African

adverb

• 1to or towards the north:the town is twenty-five miles north of Newport a north-facing wall

• 2 (north of) above (a particular amount, cost, etc.):they expect to spend north of $6 million for this latest campaign