watercourse

American  

[waw-ter-kawrs, -kohrs, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tərˌkɔrs, -ˌkoʊrs, ˈwɒt ər- /

noun

1. a stream of water, as a river or brook.

2. the bed of a stream that flows only seasonally.

3. a natural channel conveying water.

4. a channel or canal made for the conveyance of water.

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watercourse British  

/ ˈwɔːtəˌkɔːs /

noun

1. a stream, river, or canal

2. the channel, bed, or route along which this flows

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Etymology

Origin of watercourse

First recorded in 1500–10; water + course

Example Sentences

Some advocates have suggested restoring Mexico City’s last remaining natural watercourse, the Magdalena River, but that would have to contend with pollution along the river’s entire length from its source west of the capital.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2023

"Once in a watercourse, this material will further deplete the water of oxygen, and can lead to serious fish mortalities."

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2023

The no-nonsense explorer said this with a matter-of-fact confidence, and it took a moment to realize which watercourse he was referencing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2023

Combing through tens of thousands of river images by hand, Dethier and colleagues pinpointed where sediment loads begin to rise along each watercourse.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 11, 2023

The road was more like a watercourse than a highway.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman