What does northernmost mean?
Northernmost is the superlative form of northern and means furthest north. It identifies the point, place, or part that lies at the northern extremity of an area, often in relation to a map, a country, an island, a mountain range, or a line of latitude. The word is especially common in geography, travel writing, meteorology, and polar exploration: one might speak of the northernmost settlement, the northernmost ridge, or the northernmost point reached by a ship. Unlike north, which describes a direction, northernmost makes a direct comparison and establishes an extreme position. Unlike northmost, it is the conventional and more widely used form. Although northern can sometimes appear informally in place of northernmost, the fuller superlative is preferable when precision and a formal explanatory tone are wanted.
adjectiveFurthest north; lying at or near the northernmost point of a place or region.
- Furthest north or lying at the northern extremity of a place or region.
"The northernmost ridge of the island remained covered in snow throughout the summer."
"The northernmost islands are inhabited by seabirds rather than people."
"Researchers recorded unusually warm temperatures at the northernmost weather station."
A superlative built for the edge of the map: northernmost identifies the place that lies farthest toward the Arctic.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does northernmost come from?
Northernmost was formed by adding the suffix -most to northern. Northern derives from Old English norþerne, meaning “of or belonging to the north,” while -most continues Old English māst and expresses a superlative degree. The word shares its root with north, northward, northeast, and northwest, all of which preserve the same northern element in English.
Related word forms
How northernmost is actually used
Northernmost is a standard superlative adjective used mainly in geography, travel, meteorology, and descriptions of maps or territories. It is not normally used figuratively, and the definite article is generally needed before a specified place.
Easily confused with northernmost
Northernmost means furthest north, whereas northerly describes a direction, position, or wind associated with the north.
Northmost is a less common synonym for northernmost, while the latter is the standard form in general English.