southward
Americanadjective
-
moving, bearing, facing, or situated toward the south.
-
coming from the south, as a wind.
adverb
noun
adjective
noun
adverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of southward
before 900; Middle English; Old English sūth weard. See south, -ward
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A report published in December noted that hantavirus’ range in that country was moving southward.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2026
Forces at Mali's Tessalit military base, a "super-camp" near the Algerian border, surrendered and were scattering southward, an official from the Tuareg-dominated FLA separatist group told AFP.
From Barron's ● May 1, 2026
“The presence of these fossils in Colorado suggests that archaic primates originated in the north and then spread southward, diversifying soon after the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period,” adds Dr. Chester.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 3, 2026
As colder Arctic air gradually extends southward across the UK on Friday and Saturday, sunshine will return for some.
From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2026
The quiet waters of the river washed gently southward.
From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.