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

A report said parents and carers within the catchment appeared to have preferred to enrol their children at other nearby schools.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

By the end of the DWT trial, an estimated 15 family groups lived along the catchment.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

People in Wales who fall outside the Flying Start catchment areas hope the scheme could become available to all expectant parents.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 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

Farmer decided that all TB patients in the catchment area should receive the full package of services, including the equivalent of five American dollars per month.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French