Definition

Noun: - The compass point midway between west and southwest: A precise direction on a compass or in navigation, specifically denoting the point that is exactly halfway between due west (270°) and southwest (225°). Its azimuth is typically 247.5 degrees.

Usage

This term is used primarily in contexts involving navigation, meteorology (to describe wind direction), cartography, and general directional reference. - When giving or following precise navigational instructions. - When reporting or interpreting wind direction in weather forecasts. - When describing the orientation or bearing of an object or location.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The storm is approaching from the wsw.
  • Set your course to wsw for the next five nautical miles.
  • On the old map, the treasure was marked as lying wsw of the large oak tree.

Advanced Usage

• Abbreviation: "WSW" is the standard written abbreviation for this compass point. It is often capitalized in technical contexts.
  • The weather vane pointed steadily to WSW.
• In Compound Directions: While "wsw" itself is a single, precise point, it is part of a system that includes 32 principal compass points (e.g., NNE, ENE, SSE).
  • The wind shifted from west to wsw overnight.

Variants and Related Words

• West-southwest: This is the full, unabbreviated form of "WSW". It is used interchangeably, though the abbreviation is more common in technical writing.
  • The full term for wsw is west-southwest.
• Cardinal Point: The four main directions: north, south, east, west.
• Intercardinal Point: The four intermediate directions: northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest.
• Secondary Intercardinal Point: Directions such as wsw, which fall between a cardinal and an intercardinal point.

Synonyms

• 247.5 degrees: The specific azimuth bearing equivalent to WSW.
• West-southwest: The full name of the direction.

Antonyms

• ENE (East-northeast): The compass point directly opposite WSW (azimuth 67.5°).

Noun

1. the compass point midway between west and southwest