1
a
: the general direction between south and west
b
: the point midway between the south and west compass points
2
capitalized
: 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
Arkansas Online, 5 June 2025
The Treasure Valley’s growth will change access to a popular golf course southwest of Boise.
—Amaia Gavica, Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2025
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Specifically, the resolution calls on Congress to pass legislation that would hold Mexico accountable for failing to prevent sewage from polluting communities in the county’s southwest region.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025
Five new tenants opening in Promenade at Coconut Creek
Located in the southwest corner of the intersection of Lyons and Wiles roads, Promenade at Coconut Creek announced upcoming openings of four new retailers, and one that has already opened.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for southwest
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Adverb
Crew members abandoned ship, were evacuated onto a lifeboat and rescued by the crew of a nearby merchant vessel called the Cosco Hellas in the North Pacific, roughly 300 miles southwest of Adak Island.
—Arkansas Online, 5 June 2025
The Treasure Valley’s growth will change access to a popular golf course southwest of Boise.
—Amaia Gavica, Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2025
Noun
Tracking data for the vessel showed the ship heading southwest before doubling back to its previous position.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Specifically, the resolution calls on Congress to pass legislation that would hold Mexico accountable for failing to prevent sewage from polluting communities in the county’s southwest region.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
Adjective
The wildlife management area is in southwest Florida, about a 15-mile drive northwest from Fort Myers.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025
Five new tenants opening in Promenade at Coconut Creek
Located in the southwest corner of the intersection of Lyons and Wiles roads, Promenade at Coconut Creek announced upcoming openings of four new retailers, and one that has already opened.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for southwest
Cite this Entry
“Southwest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/southwest. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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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