drainage basin

American  

noun

1. the area drained by a river and all its tributaries.

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drainage basin British  

noun

1. another name for catchment area

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drainage basin Scientific  

/ drā′nĭj /

1. An area drained by a river system. A drainage basin includes all areas that gather precipitation water and direct it to a particular stream, stream system, lake, or other body of standing water.

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Etymology

Origin of drainage basin

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

While many hazards have been fixed, there are still cracked or overgrown pathways, a flooded drainage basin, and metal pipes or electrical wires protruding into the recently completed children’s play area.

From BBC • Aug. 27, 2024

And although the Ruki's drainage basin makes up only a twentieth of the entire Congo Basin, a fifth of the dissolved organic carbon in the Congo comes from this one tributary.

From Science Daily • Oct. 18, 2023

The map’s creator, Karl Musser, confirmed to the AP in an email that it showed the Ohio River drainage basin, not areas that get their drinking water from the river.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 17, 2023

Several homes were evacuated in the community of Orcutt as the drainage basin and roadway were damaged by the rain.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2023

The drainage basin of Tower Creek coincides with the limits of the extinct crater of an ancient volcano.

From Fly Fishing in Wonderland by Klahowya