A stagnant body of water connected to but isolated from the main flow of a river, or a remote area away from centers of activity. In hydrology, it refers to water that has reversed its flow or become trapped in a side channel.
From Middle English, literally 'back' + 'water,' originally describing water that flows backward or against the main current. The figurative meaning of a remote, undeveloped place emerged in the 19th century, drawing on the idea of being cut off from the main flow of progress.
The Amazon River has thousands of backwaters called 'várzeas' that flood seasonally, creating some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth! These seemingly stagnant waters are actually crucial nurseries for fish and wildlife, proving that in geography, what looks 'backward' might actually be moving forward in unexpected ways.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.