southwestern

adjective

south·​west·​ern sau̇(th)-ˈwe-stərn 

1

: lying toward or coming from the southwest

2

often Southwestern : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated Southwest

southwesternmost

sau̇(th)-ˈwe-stərn-ˌmōst 

adjective

Examples of southwestern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the 1950s, much of the Jewish community in Kochi (historically known as Cochin), a seaport on India’s southwestern coast, immigrated to Israel, leaving behind their homes, synagogues and cemeteries. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Sandy River Properties sold the site between Leeds and Sandy River roads, in the southwestern part of the county. — John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2026

In the southwestern corner of Jackson County, more than 30 miles of trails meander along through dense forests and along the Blue River as part of the Blue River Parkway Trail System. — Nick Wagner, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

Stripers are also hatchery raised and stocked by the millions in suitable freshwater lakes from Virginia to the southwestern United States. — Ken Perrotte, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English sūth-westerne, from sūth south + westerne western

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing southwestern

• southwestern corn borer

Rhymes for southwestern

• northwestern
• western

Kids Definition

southwestern

adjective

south·​west·​ern sau̇(th)-ˈwes-tərn 

1

: lying toward or coming from the southwest

2

often capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Southwest