outback

American  

[out-bak, out-bak] / ˈaʊtˌbæk, ˈaʊtˈbæk /

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) Usually the outback the back country or remote settlements; the bush.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or located in the back country.

   outback settlements.

adverb

1. in or to the back country.

   They moved outback many years ago.

outback British  

/ ˈaʊtˌbæk /

noun

1. 1. the remote bush country of Australia

   2. ( as modifier )

      outback life

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Etymology

Origin of outback

First recorded in 1875–80; out + back ²

Example Sentences

Police say they launched the largest search in the history of South Australia when four-year-old Gus Lamont was reported missing in late September from his family's Oak Park Station in the outback north of Adelaide.

From Barron's

Police say a suspect has been identified over the disappearance of a four-year-old boy who went missing in the South Australian outback.

From BBC

Future rover missions might find microbial fossils in Mars rock—of the kind Mr. Willis prospects for in the Australian outback—for Mars, too, was once warm and wet.

From The Wall Street Journal

Breanna, her older sister Olivia and younger brother Jacob all did remote classes for children in the outback who are unable to attend a physical school.

From BBC

The day before, the state of New South Wales had reported its hottest day in over a century, a high of 44.8C in the outback town of Bourke.

From BBC

Related Words

• wilderness