noun🔗ShareThe water held back by a dam or other obstruction"The dam created a large backwater that flooded the fields upstream. "environmentgeographyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareA remote place; somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc."The small town felt like a backwater; no one seemed interested in new technology or modern ideas. "geographyplacesocietyenvironmentChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareA rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water"The instructor demonstrated the backwater, pushing the oar forward to bring the small boat to a controlled stop near the dock. "nauticalsailingsportactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗ShareTo row or paddle a backwater stroke."Seeing the log in the water ahead, she had to backwater quickly to avoid hitting it. "nauticalsailingsportactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗ShareTo vacillate on a long-held position."After initially promising his daughter a new bike for her birthday, John started to backwater, saying it was too expensive and perhaps she didn't need one after all. "positionattitudeactionpoliticsChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
