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
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
Shad like to gather in dense shoals in river backwaters, especially areas with warm water outflows from industrial operations, according to the DNR.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2025
The setup is also familiar but effective: A water conflict on a backwater planet.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backwater
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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
Shad like to gather in dense shoals in river backwaters, especially areas with warm water outflows from industrial operations, according to the DNR.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2025
The setup is also familiar but effective: A water conflict on a backwater planet.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 12 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 31 May. 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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