East

/iːst/ · noun

Meaning

The direction of the earth's rotation, specifically 90°..

Definitions by Sense

1. The direction of the earth's rotation, specifically 90°.
2. The eastern region or area; the inhabitants thereof.
3. (ecclesiastical) In a church: the direction of the altar and chancel; the direction faced by the priest when celebrating ad orientem.
4. Situated or lying in or towards the east; eastward.
5. (meteorology) Blowing (as wind) from the east.
6. Of or pertaining to the east; eastern.
7. From the East; oriental.
8. (ecclesiastical) Designating, or situated in, the liturgical east.

Example Sentences

Portsmouth is to the east of Southampton.

We live in the east of the country.

The sun rises in the east.

The levanter wind is in/from the east.

In a few hours the birds come to it from all points of the compass – east, west, north, and south […]

We, in the west, agreed amongst ourselves that a penitentiary should be erected with our half of the money arising as above stated; and the east agreed to improve the country in their vicinity with the other half.

A few [Anglican churches in South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland] are oriented other than due [geographic] east—St. Paul's, St. George's, and Prince George's parish churches face northeast and St. Andrew's, southeast. […] Throughout the book I refer directionally to the altar and chancel of St. Andrew's as situated at ecclesiastical east (to avoid overcomplicating matters), not geographical or magnetic southeast. Thus, the altar is located at the east end of the church, and the gallery, at the west.

However, in Mies' chapel, liturgical east is magnetic west.

Synonyms for east

Antonyms for east

Related Words

Word Forms

• easts
• further east
• farther east
• furthest east
• farthest east

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions