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)

Synonyms

• backcountry
• backland(s)
• backwoods
• bush
• frontier
• hinterland
• outback
• outlands
• up-country

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

Most botanists from the mid-19th century viewed their study as a research backwater. —Alla Katsnelson, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025

Take the short two-mile drive to Taylor Lake to see one of the river’s scenic backwater lakes. —Jenna Blough, Outside Online, 8 Apr. 2025

Features destined to become increasingly important include backwater valves and elevated foundations for flood resistance; smart glass to help regulate heat and renewable energy sources for energy resilience. —Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Why are the Ukrainians risking lives and resources on a comparatively meaningless action in a sector that’s a relative backwater, when critical Ukrainian strongpoints in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast are under relentless Russian assault? —David Axe, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for backwater

• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater
• manslaughter

Kids 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