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

Temperatures were forecast to linger around 30 or 40 degrees above average in a number of southwestern and Central states, continuing a trend that began earlier in the week as a massive heat wave expands further into the western two-thirds of the country, said CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

Ranching on the borderlands of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico is seasoned with challenges arising from the whims of nature. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026

After comments from Council member Johnathan Duncan, who represents Kansas City’s southwestern edge, and city staff, Lucas ultimately pulled the amendment from the budget discussion. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026

The bus was traveling to the capital from the southwestern district of Kushtia as people return to work after the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr. —ABC News, 25 Mar. 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