American English pronunciation

How to pronounce backwater

IPA transcription: ['bæk,wɔtɚ]

Hear “backwater” pronounced

['bæk,wɔtɚ]

Quality: 0.98

['bæk,wɔtɚ]

Quality: 0.98

['bæk,wɔtɚ]

Quality: 0.98

Noun

  • a body of water that was created by a flood or tide or by being held or forced back by a dam

    “the bayous and backwaters are breeding grounds for mosquitos”

  • a place or condition in which no development or progress is occurring

    “the country is an economic backwater”

Usage examples

  • Paul found there, on his arrival, a strange backwater of religious opinion.