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

That could be a big problem for Mexico and the southwestern United States, as the normal dipping troughs of October and November will be more likely to turn these storms northward towards land. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Tropical storm alerts are in effect for Mexico’s southwestern coast since this area is expected to see tropical storm conditions by early Wednesday. — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Balochistan has been the scene of a long-running insurgency in southwestern Pakistan with an array of separatist groups, including the BLA, demanding independence from Pakistan’s central government in Islamabad. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

To find it, look low above the southwestern horizon after sunset, where Venus will be easy to spot despite the lingering twilight. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Sep. 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