Definition of: northwest

(nôrth′west′, in naturical usage nôr′·west′) noun
1. That point on the mariner's compass lying midway between north and west; any region situated toward that point on the horizon.
2. The NW region of the United States when its western boundary was the Mississippi.
3. The NW part of the United States.
4. The NW part of Canada.
—Old Northwest The Northwest Territory.
—adjective From the northwest.
—adverb Toward the northwest.
—north′west′er·ly adjective & adverb
—north′·west′ern adjective
—north′west′ward adjective & adverb
—north′west′ward·ly, north′west′wards adverb