Word
heartland
Phoneticsheart·land, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɑɹtˌɫænd/
UK/hˈɑːtlənd/
Definitions
01central/vital region
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic
n. the central part of a country or area that is the most important for a specific activity or belief.
n. the central or most important part of a region, especially one that is the primary source of a particular industry or political support.
“The midwest is often called the industrial heartland of the country.”
“The candidate spent the final week of the campaign touring the industrial heartland, hoping to secure votes from factory workers.”
Usage
Often used with a modifying noun like 'industrial', 'agricultural', or 'political'.
Antonyms
02traditional residential areas
C1 · Advanced Plural noun British English · American English
n. the areas of a country where most ordinary people live and where traditional values are strong.
n. the residential or rural areas of a country seen as representing its traditional values and 'ordinary' way of life.
“He grew up in the heartlands, far away from the busy life of the capital city.”
“The policy was designed to appeal to families living in the heartlands who felt ignored by the urban elite.”
Teaching tip
In Singapore, this specifically refers to public housing estates where the majority of the population lives.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Al-Assad belonged to the Islamic Alawite sect – a minority group in Syria – and enjoyed strong support in the group’s coastal heartland during his rule.” “They are often clustered around farms, but some are the towns and villages dotted throughout the duchy’s heartlands in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and Dartmoor.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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