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
Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
At least 4-8 inches of snow fell across eastern Iowa, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois and the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, according to the National Weather Service.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
In southern Washington state, multiple crashes involving over a dozen vehicles on Interstate 5 near the Cowlitz River left six people injured, all of whom were transported to hospitals, said State Patrol spokesperson Will Finn.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Even what should be the palpable heat of August in southern Spain is missing.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for southern 
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Adjective
Image Image Image This corner of southern China near Hong Kong has been a hub of low-cost manufacturing for export since the 1980s, especially apparel.
—Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
At least 4-8 inches of snow fell across eastern Iowa, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois and the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, according to the National Weather Service.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
In southern Washington state, multiple crashes involving over a dozen vehicles on Interstate 5 near the Cowlitz River left six people injured, all of whom were transported to hospitals, said State Patrol spokesperson Will Finn.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Even what should be the palpable heat of August in southern Spain is missing.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for southern
Dictionary Entries Near southern
Cite this Entry
“Southern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/southern. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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