heartland

noun

heart·​land ˈhärt-ˌland 

: a central area: such as

a

: a central land area (such as northern Eurasia) having strategic advantages

b

: the central geographical region of the U.S. in which mainstream or traditional values predominate

c

: a region where something (such as an industry or activity) most strongly thrives

the heartland of high technology

Examples of heartland in a Sentence

We drove into Scotland's heartland.

a politician who is popular in the American heartland

the heartland of high technology

Recent Examples on the Web

From the iconic Route 66 stretching across the heartland to the rugged beauty of the Pacific Coast Highway, the US has no shortage of scenic routes. —Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Apr. 2024

Beyond America’s southern border, a new wave of migrants to the United States is reshaping communities across the country, fueling economic growth in the heartland and upending local politics from its smallest towns to its largest cities. —Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

heartland

noun

heart·​land ˈhärt-ˌland 

: a central land area

especially : one of great economic and military importance