Southwest means the direction exactly halfway between south and west. If you face south and then turn halfway toward west, you're facing southwest. On a compass, southwest is marked as SW, at 225 degrees.

When people talk about the Southwest in the United States, they usually mean the region including Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. This region is known for its deserts, canyons, mesas, and distinctive culture blending Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influences. The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and ancient cliff dwellings all lie in the Southwest.

A southwest wind blows from the southwest toward the northeast. Meteorologists track wind direction carefully because it affects weather patterns. In much of North America, southwest winds often bring warmer, moister air.

You might also describe something's location as being to the southwest of something else. If your friend lives three blocks south and three blocks west of you, their house is southwest of yours. Pilots, hikers, and sailors all use southwest and the other compass directions to navigate precisely.