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 Southeast Gateway Line, a new 14.5-mile light rail line connecting the A Line to Artesia, will add nine stations serving 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

Cheraw, a town of 5,000 about 75 miles southeast of Charlotte, N.C., has seen plenty of economic upheaval in recent decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

His nickname came from a firework incident in the Fontainebleau, the famous forest southeast of Paris.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse