heartland

noun

heart·​land ˈhärt-ˌland How to pronounce heartland (audio)
: 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
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.
St James’ Park does not appear to be the dream venue to obliterate that in a flurry of creativity, but finding more balance in the midfield heartland does feel important. Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025 Giorgetti was founded in the late 1890s by Luigi Giorgetti with a little shop in Meda, Italy, amid the furniture-making heartland of Brianza, with about eight workers. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025 Now, the biggest battle for the movie remains its liberal-leaning tone, making any play in the heartland and red state areas tricky. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025 Demonstrators carried signs slamming Disney, ABC, the FCC and the TV station group owners who dealt the fatal blow to Kimmel by declaring that he would be preempted in heartland markets such as Nashville, New Orleans and Salt Lake City. Dan Doperalski, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heartland

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heartland was in 1903

Cite this Entry

“Heartland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartland. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

heartland

noun
heart·​land ˈhärt-ˌland How to pronounce heartland (audio)
: a central land area
especially : one of great economic and military importance

More from Merriam-Webster on heartland

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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