borderland

[ bawr-der-land ]

noun

1. land forming a border or frontier.
2. an uncertain, intermediate district, space, or condition.

borderland

/ ˈbɔːdəˌlænd /

noun

1. land located on or near a frontier or boundary
2. an indeterminate region

   the borderland between intellect and intelligence

Word History and Origins

Origin of borderland¹

First recorded in 1805–15; border + land

Example Sentences

Alvaro moved from New Mexico to Southern Arizona to be in the borderlands.

From Salon

In the borderlands of south Lebanon, Hezbollah has spent the last 18 years preparing tunnels and positions in solid rock.

From BBC

Ukraine’s borderlands may be about to become more dangerous still.

From New York Times

"But that doesn’t mean there haven’t been others who have gone unseen. Jaguars belong in the borderlands, historically and still today. This is their home," Southern explained.

From Salon

Leaving his native country meant embarking on a life of exile, not to mention a risky escape on foot across the mountainous borderland.

From Seattle Times