First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1western
adjective west·ern \ˈwes-tərn\
: located in or toward the west
Western : of or relating to the countries of North America and Western Europe
: of or relating to the American West
Full Definition of WESTERN
1
a : coming from the west <a western storm> b : lying toward the west
2
capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated West: as a : steeped in or stemming from the Greco-Roman traditions <Western culture> b : of or relating to the noncommunist countries of Europe and America c : of or relating to the American West <Western clothes>
3
capitalized : of or relating to the Roman Catholic or Protestant segment of Christianity <Western liturgies>
— west·ern·most \-ˌmōst\ adjective
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Origin of WESTERN
Middle English westerne, from Old English; akin to Old High German westrōni western, Old English west
2western
noun
: a story, movie, or television show about life in the American West in the late 19th century; especially : a movie about cowboys
Full Definition of WESTERN
1
: one that is produced in or characteristic of a western region and especially the western United States
2
often capitalized : a novel, story, motion picture, or broadcast dealing with life in the western United States especially during the latter half of the 19th century
See western defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WESTERN
1612
WESTERN Defined for Kids
1western
adjective west·ern \ˈwe-stərn\
Definition of WESTERN for Kids
1
often cap : of, relating to, or like that of the West
2
: lying toward or coming from the west
2western
noun , often cap
Definition of WESTERN for Kids
: a story, film, or radio or television show about life in the western United States especially in the last part of the 19th century
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