heartland

[hahrt-land, -luhnd]

noun

1. the part of a region considered essential to the viability and survival of the whole, especially a central land area relatively invulnerable to attack and capable of economic and political self-sufficiency.

2. any central area, as of a state, nation, or continent.

   a vineyard in California's heartland.

heartland

/ ˈhɑːtˌlænd /

noun

1. the central region of a country or continent

2. the core or most vital area

   the industrial heartland of England

Word History and Origins

Origin of heartland¹

First recorded in 1900–05; heart + land

Example Sentences

Sandy Santos, who produced Telemundo 23 with part-time help from one bilingual reporter, said the decision removes key Spanish-language news media serving large Latino communities in California’s agricultural heartland.

From Los Angeles Times

The AfD became Germany's second biggest party in February's federal elections, spreading from its eastern heartland to areas of the west too.

From BBC

A multi-million pound regeneration plan is under way in what was once part of the city's industrial heartland.

From BBC

But some members have complained that the party is now too focused on shoring up support in its rural heartlands in the North East and the Borders, to defend its five constituency seats.

From BBC

Her presence in the genre, her Blackness and her artistry, challenged long-standing assumptions about who belongs in the visual and sonic mythology of the American heartland.

From Salon

Related Words

• backwoods