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

Around 200 schools have been converted to shelters in southwestern Yemen to absorb an influx of families, according to the International Rescue Committee, an aid group. — Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

The Southwest, the southern Rockies, the southwestern Plains, southern Florida, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado hit particularly high temperatures this August. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026

According to Mongabay, the species once numbered around 1,000, often seen in the cedars and Douglas fir trees in southwestern British Columbia. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026

Fifty-four people are still missing since the fire tore through the ferry Wednesday night near southwestern Palawan province. — Aaron Favila, Los Angeles Times, 11 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