backwaternoun [ C ]
uk/ˈbæk.wɔː.tər/us/ˈbæk.wɑː.t̬ɚ/a part of a river where the water does not flow:
We tied the boat up in a quiet backwater overnight.
disapproving a place that does not change because it is not influenced by new ideas or events that happen in other places:
He grew up in a rural backwater.
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jerkwater
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Parts of watercourses
- artesian well
- basin
- branch
- confluence
- delta
- estuary
- firth
- geyser
- head
- lock
- lock-keeper
- midstream
- mooring
- narrows
- reach
- spring
- towpath
- tributary
- water table
- weir
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Towns & regions: towns, cities & villages (general)