Definition

Proper noun A geographical region located in the northwestern corner of the United States, typically encompassing the states of Washington and Oregon. The definition is sometimes extended to include the southwestern portion of the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Usage

The term "Pacific Northwest" is used to refer to this specific region as a collective entity, often in contexts discussing geography, climate, culture, or economics. * The Pacific Northwest is known for its temperate rainforests and volcanic mountains. * Many technology companies are headquartered in the Pacific Northwest. * Salmon fishing is a major industry in the Pacific Northwest.

Advanced Usage

• The term can function attributively as a compound modifier (e.g., , ).
• In a broader, less formal context, it may occasionally be used to refer to the general coastal northwestern area of North America.

Variants and Related Words

• Cascadia: A bioregion and proposed name that overlaps significantly with the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing the Cascade Mountain range ecosystem.
• PNW: A common initialism for "Pacific Northwest."

Synonyms

• Northwestern U.S. (though this is less specific and can include Idaho and Montana)
• The Northwest (context-dependent; can be ambiguous without "Pacific")

Different Meanings

• When capitalized ("Pacific Northwest"), it is a proper noun referring to the specific region.
• The lowercase phrase "pacific northwest" could be interpreted descriptively (e.g., a peaceful northwestern area), but this usage is extremely rare and non-standard. The term is almost exclusively a proper noun.

Noun

1. a region of the northwestern United States usually including Washington and Oregon and sometimes southwestern British Columbia