south·ern
ˈsə-t͟hərn 
1
capitalized
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated South
2
a
: lying toward the south
b
: coming from the south
a southern wind
: the dialect of English spoken in most of the Chesapeake Bay area, the coastal plain and the greater part of the upland plateau in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, and the Gulf states at least as far west as the valley of the Brazos in Texas and sometimes taken to include the south Midland area
Examples of southern in a Sentence
Adjective
the southern part of the state
the southern shore of the lake
Recent Examples on the Web
Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
The Gaza population of more than 2 million has been repeatedly uprooted throughout the war, with most residents now squeezed into tent encampments in the southern part of the territory, near the border with Egypt.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
In the kitchen, Evans led with compassion, integrity and genuine care for her teammates (and competitors) and food creations, all while honoring her southern flavors, heritage and culture.
—Shindy Chen, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is restricting some hunting regulations this fall due to a severe viral outbreak in southern Indiana deer herds.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for southern
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Adjective
Smoke rises from southern Gaza following Israeli airstrikes, in Deir al-Balah today.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
The Gaza population of more than 2 million has been repeatedly uprooted throughout the war, with most residents now squeezed into tent encampments in the southern part of the territory, near the border with Egypt.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
In the kitchen, Evans led with compassion, integrity and genuine care for her teammates (and competitors) and food creations, all while honoring her southern flavors, heritage and culture.
—Shindy Chen, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is restricting some hunting regulations this fall due to a severe viral outbreak in southern Indiana deer herds.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for southern
Cite this Entry
“Southern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/southern. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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southern
adjective
south·ern
ˈsət͟h-ərn
1
capitalized
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the South
2
: lying toward or coming from the south
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