backcountry

noun

back·​coun·​try ˈbak-ˌkən-trē How to pronounce backcountry (audio)
often attributive
: a remote undeveloped rural area

Examples of backcountry in a Sentence

he took a month's supplies and headed out to the backcountry
Recent Examples on the Web For the best all-around backcountry boot, Switzer lists Dynafit’s Radical Pro. Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2023 Always break in your shoes before taking them into the backcountry. Diana Helmuth, Outdoor Life, 22 Nov. 2023 Martinez thanked county Supervisor Joel Anderson, whose district covers the backcountry where wildfire threat looms, with pushing to get the new helicopters in the Sheriff’s Department fleet. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023 One of several backcountry trails in the Grand Canyon that have become popular routes for visitors, Bright Angel Trail takes hikers from a trailhead along the South Rim down to the Colorado River, which runs through the bottom of the canyon. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2023 At the same time, the number of people skiing in uncontrolled backcountry terrain, where avalanches are most likely, has exploded in the past 20 years. WIRED, 11 Nov. 2023 As the fall leaves finally drop to the ground and most people start digging out their hats and mittens, skiers and riders are sharing long-range forecasts with their group chats, pouring over new trail maps, and thinking about which backcountry adventures to take this year. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2023 These kinds of trails have long been the domain of the hardiest adventurers, but the arrival of new remote cabins throughout the wilderness is making the backcountry more accessible—and less daunting—for the rest of us. Petrina Darrah, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2023 In an interview with the Idaho Statesman published Monday, Boise County Sherriff Scott Turner said that backcountry hikers discovered some of Thomas’ personal items late last month, which included a wallet and some clothing. David Chiu, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backcountry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1746, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backcountry was in 1746

Dictionary Entries Near backcountry

Cite this Entry

“Backcountry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backcountry. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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