Backwater

Quick meaning: Backwater is a noun meaning The water held back by a dam or other obstruction.

Meaning

The water held back by a dam or other obstruction.

More Meanings

1. A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water
2. To row or paddle a backwater stroke.
3. (idiomatic) To vacillate on a long-held position.
4. (idiomatic, usually figurative) A remote place: somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc; any field of endeavor that figuratively resembles such a place.
5. (paper industry) Water used in the papermaking process. Recycled to reduce usage of fresh water, and usually containing residual amounts of chemicals and fibres.

Example Sentences

an academic backwater

[…] The backwater separates the main line from Hinksey marshalling yards

It's a volume for those who delight in exploring the backwaters of nineteenth-century opera.

Near-synonyms: (place) jerkwater town, one-horse town, Podunk; see also Thesaurus:remote place

Word Forms

• backwaters
• back water
• back-water
• backwatering
• backwatered

Synonyms for backwater

Depending on context, synonyms include Podunk, jerkwater, jerk-water, backcountry, backwoods, boondock.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include eddy, wash, pantry, closet, cupboard, turbulence.

Related Dictionary Tools