southbound

adjective

south·​bound ˈsau̇th-ˌbau̇nd How to pronounce southbound (audio)
: traveling or heading south

Examples of southbound in a Sentence

The southbound lanes are closed to traffic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The highway was reopened entirely after a 2-hour closure on the southbound side and a 3-hour closure of the northbound lanes. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025 According to a preliminary investigation, a family of four from Harris County was traveling northbound on Highway 99 when their vehicle was hit by a driver going southbound in the northbound lanes. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025 The crash aftermath and cleanup blocked all lanes of southbound I-275 at Six Mile Road in Wayne County, as the crash is just past that location, near Five Mile Road. Paula Wethington, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025 There, officers discovered a man on the side of the highway, in the southbound lanes, with a gunshot wound to his leg, according to the probable cause statement. Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for southbound

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of southbound was in 1655

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Southbound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/southbound. Accessed 28 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

southbound

adjective
south·​bound ˈsau̇th-ˌbau̇nd How to pronounce southbound (audio)
: headed south
a southbound train

More from Merriam-Webster on southbound

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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