Word of the Day

: September 3, 2006

hinterland

noun HIN-ter-land

What It Means

1 : a region lying inland from a coast

2 a : a region remote from urban areas

b : a region lying beyond major metropolitan or cultural centers

hinterland in Context

Ty and Saja spent a few days in the capital before setting off for the hinterland.

Did You Know?

When you're dealing with geography, it helps to know your hinterland from your umland. In 1888, geographer George Chisholm borrowed the German word "Hinterland" (literally, "land in back of") and applied it specifically to the region just inland from a port or coastal settlement. (Chisholm spelled the word "hinderland," but English speakers eventually settled on "hinterland.") Early in the 20th century, another geographer adopted the German "Umland" ("land around") to refer to the territory around an inland town. What "hinterland" and "umland" have in common is a reference to a region economically tied to a nearby city. But nowadays "hinterland" has a less technical use as well; it's used for land that's simply out in the sticks.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.