noun

1. the direction to the right of a person facing north; direction in which sunrise occurs: it is properly the point on the horizon at which the center of the sun rises at the equinox
2. the point on a compass at 90°, directly opposite west
3. a region or district in or toward this direction

Etymology: ME est < OE east, akin to Ger osten, ON austr < Gmc base *aust-, dawn < IE base *awes-, to shine, dawn > L aurora, dawn, aurum, gold

adjective

1. in, of, to, toward, or facing the east
2. from the east an east wind
3. designating the eastern part of a continent, country, etc. East Africa
4. in, of, or toward the altar of a church

adverb