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

On the borderlands of early civilizations, people who considered one another alien met in moments of trade, warfare or simple human curiosity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I always wanted to find places that reminded me of home,” the comedian and actor, originally from the Texas borderlands, says of her affinity for the family-run restaurant.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Born in San Antonio, the son and grandson of accordionists became famous as the face of Tex-Mex music and as a favorite session player whenever rock and country gods needed some borderlands flair.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

These borderlands surrounding El Paso were long a place of risk but also opportunity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The People Over Papers map, for example, reflects an older lineage: the resistance tactics of Black Maroons — enslaved Africans who fled to swamps and borderlands, forming secret networks to evade capture and warn others.

Read more on Los Angeles Times