hinterland

[ hin-ter-land ]

noun

1. Often hinterlands. the remote or less developed parts of a country; back country:

   The hinterlands are usually much more picturesque than the urban areas.

2. the land lying behind a coastal region.
3. an area or sphere of influence in the unoccupied interior claimed by the state possessing the coast.
4. an inland area supplying goods, especially trade goods, to a port.

hinterland

/ ˈhɪntəˌlænd /

noun

1. land lying behind something, esp a coast or the shore of a river
2. remote or undeveloped areas of a country
3. an area located near and dependent on a large city, esp a port

Word History and Origins

Origin of hinterland¹

1885–90; < German: literally, hinder land, i.e., land behind

Word History and Origins

Origin of hinterland¹

C19: from German, from hinter behind + land land ; see hinder ²

Example Sentences

Some live in the country for a couple of days a week; some make a reverse commute to fields in the city hinterland; some work seasonally.

From BBC

A new start-up, called STAGE, has spawned a nascent film industry in this hinterland.

From BBC

His involvement snowballed and Mr Diriye soon found himself navigating from the porous frontier with Ethiopia through Somalia’s rural hinterlands.

From BBC

Southgate was the consumate ambassador and diplomat as England manager, displaying a rounded world view, a willingness to speak openly with a wider hinterland stretching far beyond football.

From BBC

California Republicans, long banished to the hinterlands of their home state’s politics, enjoyed being surrounded by like-minded conservatives at the Republican National Convention — and hearing some bashing of the blue state’s politicians and policies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• outback