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

The region of northern Georgia to upstate South Carolina, western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia and southern West Virginia already saw flash flooding from between 2 and 8 inches of rainfall not related to Helene from Tuesday to Wednesday night, AccuWeather reported. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024

Officials posted hurricane warnings for southwestern Mexico. —Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2024

The Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project and the Apple Core Project are based in southwestern and western Colorado, respectively, and focus almost exclusively on apples. —Amanda M. Faison, Outside Online, 22 Sep. 2024

Mayan Theatre: The crown jewel of the Baker neighborhood towers over South Broadway with its Art Deco architecture and southwestern touches. —John Frank, Axios, 22 Sep. 2024

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

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