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

On Earth, that size marks the lower limit of what scientists define as a large drainage basin.

From Science Daily • Dec. 31, 2025

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

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

A man, identified by the coroner as Anthony Ray Lopez Sr., 63, of Ontario, was found in the drainage basin and pronounced dead at the scene about 12:04 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2022

Arkansas lies in the drainage basin of the lower Mississippi, and has a remarkable river system.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5 "Arculf" to "Armour, Philip" by Various