backwater
noun
back·wa·ter
ˈbak-ˌwȯ-tər 
-ˌwä-
1
a
: water backed up in its course by an obstruction, an opposing current, or the tide
b
: a body of water (such as an inlet or tributary) that is out of the main current of a larger body
2
a
: an isolated or backward place or condition
b
: an unpopular or unimportant field (as of study or business)
Examples of backwater in a Sentence
The once sleepy backwater is now a thriving city.
a distant backwater that didn't even have electricity at that time
Recent Examples on the Web
But the texting and blocking, the free-for-all backwaters of the internet and the carnal shenanigans that color contemporary TV teendom do put a different complexion on growing up.
—
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
Forecasters say to expect significant flooding in East End, California, and New Richmond, Ohio, with backwater floods in Silver Grove, Kentucky, and riverfront buildings flooded in Aurora, Indiana.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
As search after search came up dry, mathematicians eventually ran out of steam, and the problem became a backwater.
—Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 5 May 2025
The folksy 72-year-old Louisianan has been training horses since 1991 and has had success, but mostly with cheap horses running for small prizes in racing’s backwaters.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backwater
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Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
Forecasters say to expect significant flooding in East End, California, and New Richmond, Ohio, with backwater floods in Silver Grove, Kentucky, and riverfront buildings flooded in Aurora, Indiana.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
As search after search came up dry, mathematicians eventually ran out of steam, and the problem became a backwater.
—Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 5 May 2025
The folksy 72-year-old Louisianan has been training horses since 1991 and has had success, but mostly with cheap horses running for small prizes in racing’s backwaters.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backwater
Cite this Entry
“Backwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backwater. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backwater
noun
back·wa·ter
ˈbak-ˌwȯt-ər
-ˌwät-
1
: water held or turned back from its course
2
: a backward place or condition
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