southeastward

Southeastward is a directional term used as an adverb or an adjective to indicate movement or orientation toward the southeast. It describes a path, flow, or tendency that increases in the southern and eastern components. The term is commonly used in geography, navigation, meteorology, and related fields to specify route directions or the movement of weather systems.

In practical use, a ship, aircraft, or vehicle traveling along a southeastward course is heading roughly toward the southeast, typically corresponding to a compass bearing of about 135 degrees from north. Similarly, meteorological phenomena such as winds or storms can be described as moving southeastward when their propagation or drift is toward the southeast.

Etymology and related terms: Southeastward is formed from the compass point southeast plus the suffix -ward, meaning toward. Related directional terms include southeast, southeasterly, and other -ward forms such as northeastward or westward. The choice between these forms can reflect differences in emphasis on motion versus orientation, or on the reference frame used by writers or scientists.