<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>A point on the compass midway between north and west.</li><li>NW a region in this direction.</li><li>The Northwest, the northwestern part of the United States, especially Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.</li><li>The northwestern part of the United States when its western boundary was the Mississippi River.</li><li>The northwestern part of Canada.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>Coming from the northwest: a northwest wind.</li><li>Directed toward the northwest: sailing a northwest course.</li></ul><p><strong>Adverb</strong></p><ul><li>From the northwest.</li><li>Toward the northwest: sailing northwest.</li></ul>