# heartland

/ˈhɑɹtˌɫænd/ (US) · /hˈɑːtlənd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heartland
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 3. Singapore residential areas

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect

in Singapore, the residential areas outside the main city center where most people live.

For teachers: in a Singaporean context, the residential districts and new towns outside the central business district where the majority of the population resides.

- You can find the best local food at the small shops in the heartlands.
- Urban planners in Singapore focus on ensuring that the heartlands remain self-sufficient with plenty of amenities and public transport links.

Usage: Often used in the plural form 'heartlands' in this specific regional context.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to Singaporean English; in other varieties, 'heartland' usually refers to rural or central geographic areas.

## Examples

- The candidate is visiting the industrial heartland this week.
- The party struggled to maintain its influence in the rural heartland as younger voters moved toward the cities.
- The documentary explores how the agricultural heartland has transformed over the last century, shifting from small family farms to massive corporate operations that dominate the local landscape.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.