What does landlocked mean?
Landlocked means enclosed by land and without a coastline. The term is most commonly used for countries, states, regions, and other geographic areas that cannot reach the sea directly, often forcing them to depend on neighboring countries for maritime trade. It can also be used figuratively for people or places that feel isolated or prevented from reaching opportunities, transport links, or the wider world. In a literal geographical context, landlocked has a clear technical meaning and is especially common in discussions of politics, trade, and transportation. The word conveys enclosure and restricted access rather than simply being far from the coast. Its figurative use extends that idea, describing a situation in which someone or something appears trapped within a limited environment.
adjectiveEnclosed by land and having no direct access to the sea. It can also describe a person or place prevented from reaching open water, a major transport route, or the wider world.
- Geographically enclosed by land and having no direct access to the sea.
- Prevented from reaching open water, a major transport route, or the wider world.
"The landlocked country relies on neighboring ports for access to international shipping."
"Bolivia and Paraguay are examples of landlocked countries in South America."
"The mountain village felt landlocked, with the severe weather cutting off the only road to the coast."
A landlocked country is boxed in by land, not surrounded by water.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does landlocked come from?
The adjective was formed by combining the noun land with the past participle locked, meaning closed or confined. The development reflects the older sense of lock as enclosing or restricting something. Related words sharing the element land include landscape, landowner, landholder, and landless.
Related word forms
How landlocked is actually used
The term is most often used in geographical and political contexts. Its figurative use is understood but is less frequent and can sound informal or metaphorical.
Easily confused with landlocked
Landlocked describes an area with no coastline, while landbound generally describes someone or something prevented from travelling or transporting goods.
Inland means situated away from the coast, whereas landlocked specifically means completely enclosed by land and without a coastline.