southwestern

adjective

south·​west·​ern sau̇(th)-ˈwe-stərn How to pronounce southwestern (audio)
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 How to pronounce southwestern (audio)
adjective

Examples of southwestern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Swells generated by the storm were expected to affect parts of the coast in southwestern Mexico and the Baja California peninsula over the next few days. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 The storm brought heavy rain and gusty winds to Southeast Texas and southwestern Louisiana. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Springfield, a small city in southwestern Ohio, became the center of salacious and unfounded rumors about the Haitian community during the 2024 presidential election. — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 Japan in recent years has fortified its southwestern region with longer range missiles and interceptors. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for southwestern

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of southwestern was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing southwestern

Rhymes for southwestern

See All Rhymes for southwestern

Browse Nearby Words

southwesterly
southwestern
southwestern corn borer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Southwestern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/southwestern. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

southwestern

adjective
south·​west·​ern sau̇(th)-ˈwes-tərn How to pronounce southwestern (audio)
1
: lying toward or coming from the southwest
2
often capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Southwest
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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