1. a part of a river having little or no current
2. a place or situation that is isolated from or unaffected by current trends or events
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The canoe drifted into the quiet backwaters of the river.
• Fish often gather in the backwaters where the current is slower.
• The small town remained in the cultural backwaters for decades.
• Many consider rural areas to be economic backwaters.
• The company’s old division became one of the corporate backwaters.
• She moved from the city to escape to the peaceful backwaters of the countryside.