MEANING
A quiet or slow-moving part of a river lying away from its main current.
Use it for
Still pockets beside flowing rivers and sheltered aquatic life.Set quiet water against the main channel's movement.
Words that belong together
- river backwater
- sheltered backwater
- muddy backwater
On the page
Lilies crowded the backwater behind the island.
We left the fast current and paddled into a backwater.
The backwater held a perfect reflection of the willow.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- backwater
Usage notes
Primary category: environment. May be a side channel or inlet; its figurative sense describes an isolated, neglected place. Plural: backwaters
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.