1
a
: the general direction between south and west
b
: the point midway between the south and west compass points
2
Southwest
: regions or countries lying to the southwest of a specified or implied point of orientation
especially
: the southwestern part of the U.S.
1
: coming from the southwest
a southwest wind
2
: situated toward or at the southwest
the southwest corner
Examples of southwest in a Sentence
Adverb
It's about 80 miles southwest of here.
Noun
A mountain range is in the southwest of the country.
These plants grow in the Southwest.
Adjective
the southwest corner of the building
Recent Examples on the Web
Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
In Laredo, about 150 miles southwest of San Antonio, volunteers at the center have been working to meet the basic needs of arriving immigrant families.
—Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Jan. 2026
Arkansas Online, 31 Jan. 2026
The cottages have a mid-century feel and each have indoor and outdoor fireplaces and a smart nouveau-southwest look.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
For the first time, Forbes is heading to Phoenix, AZ from April 19–22 to unlock that southwest energy at the 2026 Forbes Under 30 Summit.
—Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for southwest
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Adverb
With the support of Lake County leaders, John Deere recently broke ground at 234 acres of farmland just southwest of Interstate 65 and Indiana 2.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
In Laredo, about 150 miles southwest of San Antonio, volunteers at the center have been working to meet the basic needs of arriving immigrant families.
—Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
Pakistan's security forces have raided two militant hideouts in the country's southwest, killing 41 insurgents in separate gun battles, the military said Friday.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Jan. 2026
The cottages have a mid-century feel and each have indoor and outdoor fireplaces and a smart nouveau-southwest look.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
China in particular has attempted inroads in Greenland in recent years, Rosen writes, including efforts to construct three airports on the island and to purchase a former American naval base in the southwest corner of the island.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
For the first time, Forbes is heading to Phoenix, AZ from April 19–22 to unlock that southwest energy at the 2026 Forbes Under 30 Summit.
—Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for southwest
Cite this Entry
“Southwest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/southwest. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
southwest
1 of 3 adverb
south·west
sau̇th-ˈwest 
nautical sau̇-ˈwest
: to or toward the southwest
southwest
2 of 3 noun1
: the direction between south and west
2
capitalized
: regions or countries southwest of a point that is mentioned or understood
southwest
3 of 3 adjective1
: coming from the southwest
a southwest wind
2
: situated toward or at the southwest
the southwest corner
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