southwestern

adjective

south·​west·​ern sau̇(th)-ˈwe-stərn How to pronounce southwestern (audio)
1
: lying toward or coming from the southwest
2
often capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated Southwest
southwesternmost 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.
Tarleton State, which is part of the Texas A&M University system, expanded its campus in southwestern Fort Worth and plans to double enrollment by 2030. Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025 Dusky Sound is along the southwestern coast of New Zealand’s South Island and on the opposite end of the country from Auckland. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025 The Tri-State Tornado struck southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois and southwestern Indiana on March 18, 1925, resulting in 695 deaths, more than 2,000 injuries and a path length of 219 miles stretching from southeast Missouri across southern Illinois into southwest Indiana. Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 Three more such fairs have since been held, including in the southwestern metropolis of Chengdu. Marc Stewart, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Southwestern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/southwestern. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on southwestern

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