also: よも · よほう
the four cardinal directions; north, east, south, and west; all directions
Refers to the four compass points or, by extension, every direction. Common in both literal and figurative contexts.
From that tower you can see in all four directions.
We were surrounded on all sides by the enemy.
surroundings; the area around one
Only with reading しほう / よほう
Used for the immediate vicinity or environment. Often appears with を見回す or similar verbs.
He looked around him before crossing the street.
many countries; the whole world
Only with reading しほう
Literary or formal expression for 'all lands' or 'the world at large'. Not used in everyday conversation.
His fame spread throughout the world.
Only with reading よも
Archaic/literary reading よも used in classical or poetic contexts to mean 'everywhere' or 'in all directions'.
The wind that crosses the seas in all directions.
square; quadrilateral; four sides
Only with reading しほう / よほう
Refers to a four-sided shape or the four sides of a square. Sense 6 (four sides) is essentially a subset of this geometric meaning.
This plot of land is surrounded by roads on all four sides.
A square has four equal sides.
He looked around the room in every direction and confirmed there was nothing there.
The smoke from the fire spread out in every direction.
This garden measures ten meters on each side.
The village is surrounded on all sides by mountains.
yoko-shiho-gatame; side four-quarter hold
tate-shiho-gatame; vertical four-quarter hold