west (wĕst)
n.

1. (Abbr. W)
   1. The cardinal point on the mariner's compass 270° clockwise from due north and directly opposite east.
   2. The direction opposite to the direction of the earth's axial rotation.
2. An area or region lying in the west.
3. often West
   1. The western part of the earth, especially Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
   2. The western part of a region or country.
4. often West
   1. A historical region of the United States west of the Allegheny Mountains.
   2. The region of the United States west of the Mississippi River.
   3. The United States, Canada, and the noncommunist countries of Europe, especially during the Cold War.
   4. The nations of North America and Europe with developed capitalist economies, especially in contrast to less-developed nations.

adj.

1. To, toward, of, facing, or in the west.
2. Originating in or coming from the west: a gentle west wind.

adv.
In, from, or toward the west.

[Middle English, from Old English.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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