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

Forestry England project lead, Hayley Dauben, said the animals would bring "lots of good benefits" to the Ehen and Calder catchment area.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The plant is also being established elsewhere across the River Hull catchment, creating the wider network of wetland habitat that the swallowtail will eventually need.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

As many as 23 million chickens, a quarter of the UK's poultry production, are raised in the river's catchment area.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2025

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

“For one ting, we mils’ make another catchment ... an' we mus’ go to d reef for food . . . an' .

From "The Cay" by Theodore Taylor