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Definition of westerlies

westerlies

/ˈwɛs.tɚ.liz/
wes · ter · lies
Adverb:westerly
•
Plural:westerlies
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Adjective:westerly
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westerlies Lexical Profile

westerlies Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The prevailing winds that blow from the west toward the east in the middle latitudes between 30 and 60 degrees north and south of the equator.

Example

"Early European sailing vessels relied heavily on the westerlies to carry them back across the North Atlantic from the Americas."

2

Winds or breezes blowing from the west.

Example

"Mild westerlies brought damp, cloudy weather to the coastal towns throughout the weekend."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In meteorology, winds are named after the direction from which they blow rather than the direction in which they travel; thus, the westerlies blow from the west toward the east.

• Nearby Words

westbrook
westbury
westerland
westerlies
westerly
western
western blind snake

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Westerlies. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/westerlies
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