backwater

[ bak-waw-ter, -wot-er ]

noun

1. water held or forced back, as by a dam, flood, or tide.
2. a place or state of stagnant backwardness:

   This area of the country is a backwater that continues to resist progress.

3. an isolated, peaceful place.
4. a stroke executed by pushing a paddle forward, causing a canoe to move backward.

backwater

/ ˈbækˌwɔːtə /

noun

1. a body of stagnant water connected to a river
2. water held or driven back, as by a dam, flood, or tide
3. an isolated, backward, or intellectually stagnant place or condition

verb

1. intr to reverse the direction of a boat, esp to push the oars of a rowing boat

Word History and Origins

Origin of backwater¹

1350–1400; Middle English bakwateres; back ², water

Example Sentences

Im scraped together low-value land in a backwater known for its seedy motels and opened the theme park — a decision his friends disparaged.

From Los Angeles Times

"The attorney general - usually a sleepy backwater of an office - was now home to a rising star."

From BBC

Tired of scraping by in a provincial backwater, she is desperate for them to realize her unfulfilled dreams of stardom.

From Los Angeles Times

When the three German-born players last lifted the trophy, the U.S. was an international soccer backwater, 26 years from its next World Cup appearance.

From Los Angeles Times

How did this hardcore East Coast liberal arts major end up in this backwater working at a Costco?

From Los Angeles Times