southeast

American  

[south-eest, sou-eest] / ˌsaʊθˈist, ˌsaʊˈist /

noun

1. the point or direction midway between south and east. SE

2. a region in this direction.

3. (initial capital letter) the southeast region of the United States.

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adjective

1. lying toward, situated in, or directed toward the southeast.

2. coming from the southeast, as a wind.

adverb

1. in the direction midway between south and east.

southeast ¹ British  

/ ˌsaʊθˈiːst, ˌsaʊˈiːst /

noun

1. the point of the compass or the direction midway between south and east, 135° clockwise from north

2. any area lying in or towards this direction

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adjective

1. (sometimes capital) of or denoting the southeastern part of a specified country, area, etc

2. situated in, proceeding towards, or facing the southeast

3. (esp of the wind) from the southeast

adverb

1. in, to, towards, or (esp of the wind) from the southeast

Southeast ² British  

/ ˌsaʊθˈiːst /

noun

1. the southeastern part of Britain, esp the London area

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Other Word Forms

• southeastern adjective
• southeasternmost adjective

Etymology

Origin of southeast

before 900; Middle English southest, Old English sūthēast. See south, east

Example Sentences

The third strike was on the Burj al-Shamali Palestinian refugee camp, southeast of the city.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

The Southeast Gateway Line, a new 14.5-mile light rail line connecting the A line to Artesia that will serve largely working-class Latino communities across southeast L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Even as O’ahu begins the long process of recovery, the broader emergency is shifting to the southeast.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

Tropical regions like southeast Asia, Australia and central Africa typically experience drier conditions.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

“About 4:30 a loud explosion came from the southeast and shook the ground way out here—like a big bomb in the distance. The mountain must’ve blown again. We picked up the pace.”

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone