hinterlands

Noun

hinterland (countable and uncountable, plural hinterlands)

1. The land immediately next to, and inland from, a coast.
   • In West Wales it has never been possible until recently to exploit the magnificent natural harbour of Milford Haven, for there was no industrial hinterland.1961 August, “New traffic flows in South Wales”, in Trains Illustrated, page 492
2. The rural territory surrounding an urban area, especially a port.
3. A remote or undeveloped area.
   • In the film, Hanks is a veteran traversing the Texas hinterlands during the Reconstruction period when he stumbles upon a lost young white girl (Helena Zengel) who only speaks Kiowa, and is forced to undergo a dangerous journey to bring the orphan to her family.2021 February 9, Christina Newland, “Is Tom Hanks part of a dying breed of genuine movie stars?”, in BBC

   Synonyms:

   backwater, sticks, Isolated town, bump in the road, jerkwater, jerk-water, jerkwater town, one-horse town, wide spot in the road, Isolated place

4. (figuratively) That which is unknown or unexplored about someone.
   • Near-synonym: shadow

   Synonyms:

   shadow

5. An area of land far from the sea.

   Synonyms:

   interior, backcountry

6. (figuratively) Anything vague or ill-defined, especially something that is ill understood.
   • Near-synonym: shadowland

   Synonyms:

   shadowland

See all 7 meanings of hinterland