Midwestern

adjective

Mid·​west·​ern ˌmid-ˈwe-stərn How to pronounce Midwestern (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Midwest (a region of indefinite boundaries in the north central U.S. including the area around the Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi River valley) or its people
Midwesterner
ˌmid-ˈwe-stər-nər How to pronounce Midwestern (audio)
-ˈwe-stə-
noun
plural Midwesterners

Examples of Midwestern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Iowa and in other Midwestern states, the price of diesel, which has risen more sharply than other fuel prices, has become a potent political issue. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026 In the aftermath of a tragedy, 17-year-old Nora (Fletcher) is desperate to escape her Midwestern life for college and the promise of New York City. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, according to a USFWS spokesperson, around 30 million lbs of invasive carp are removed from Midwestern waters each year. — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 Consider going domestic this holiday season, embracing a chalet-style stay somewhere in Wisconsin, or seeing what a Midwestern town with a Dutch history has to offer. — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Midwestern

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Midwestern was in 1886

Rhymes for Midwestern

See All Rhymes for Midwestern

Browse Nearby Words

Midwest City
Midwestern
Midwesterner
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Midwestern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Midwestern. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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