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

I had not seen another person for quite a while as I biked deeper into the hinterlands of the island, connecting to East End Light Road.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

George Reid was one of the most substantial political figures to serve in the Scottish Parliament with a hinterland that gave him insight and authority.

Read more on BBC

You can still find reruns in cable’s hinterlands or purchase the series, but the public seems resolved to acknowledge its impact without revisiting episodes in full.

Read more on Salon

Faith is just one part of a hinterland as wide as the outback.

Read more on BBC

Southgate established himself as a mature, measured and civilised leader, who had a hinterland that stretched beyond football, proving priceless in moments when diplomacy was required.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• outback