catchment

American  

[kach-muhnt] / ˈkætʃ mənt /

noun

1. the act of catching catch water.

2. something for catching catch water, as a reservoir or basin.

3. the water that is caught catch in such a catchment.

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catchment British  

/ ˈkætʃmənt /

noun

1. the act of catching or collecting water

2. a structure in which water is collected

3. the water so collected

4. the intake of a school from one catchment area

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Etymology

Origin of catchment

First recorded in 1840–50; catch + -ment

Example Sentences

In one village, the Fidesz mayor is also the district doctor for a catchment area covering 32 settlements.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

However, the walk-in clinics are expected to have catchment areas and the first centre has restrictions on who can attend in this pilot phase.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

It will also serve as a larger catchment area, which could extend all the way to the neighbouring Pune city, a major IT and education hub.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

In May, officials cited "a falling demographic over several years, significant surplus places, and only 18.5% of children living in the catchment."

From BBC • Sep. 27, 2025

It was a device that looked like an inverted umbrella with a good-sized catchment pouch and a connecting rubber tube.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel