southwestern

adjective

south·​west·​ern sau̇(th)-ˈwe-stərn 

1

: lying toward or coming from the southwest

2

often capitalized : 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

Forecasters are advising residents along the southern and southwestern coast of Mexico to monitor the progress of the system, as there is a 90% chance of formation through the next 48 hours. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

Yes, foodies are flocking to this southwestern city. —Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Parking would cost non-residents $6 a day in Level 2 lots at Fleet Science Center South, Veterans Museum, Starlight Bowl, Marston Point and a lot in the park’s southwestern corner near Fir Street and Sixth Avenue. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025

Nearly one in five uninsured Americans live in Texas, with the southwestern state's uninsured rate far outpacing the national figure, according to a new report published by ValuePenguin this month. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

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