watershed

American  

[waw-ter-shed, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tərˌʃɛd, ˈwɒt ər- /

noun

1. Chiefly British. the ridge or crest line dividing two drainage areas; water parting; divide.

2. the region or area drained by a river, stream, etc.; drainage area.

3. Architecture. wash.

4. an important point of division or transition between two phases, conditions, etc..

   The treaty to ban war in space may prove to be one of history's great watersheds.

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adjective

1. constituting a watershed.

   a watershed area; a watershed case.

watershed British  

/ ˈwɔːtəˌʃɛd /

noun

1. the dividing line between two adjacent river systems, such as a ridge

2. an important period or factor that serves as a dividing line

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watershed Scientific  

/ wô′tər-shĕd′ /

1. A continuous ridge of high ground forming a divide between two different drainage basins or river systems.

2. The region enclosed by such a divide and draining into a river, river system, or other body of water.

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watershed Cultural  

1. A ridge of high land dividing two areas that are drained by different river systems. On one side of a watershed, rivers and streams flow in one direction; on the other side they flow in another direction. Also, the area drained by a water system.

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Discover More

By extension, a “watershed” is a critical point that serves as a dividing line: “The parties reached a watershed in the contract negotiations.”

Etymology

Origin of watershed

First recorded in 1795–1805; water + shed ²

Example Sentences

The watershed verdict is the second time this week that the courts have rendered the companies liable for harm inflicted by their platforms.

From The Wall Street Journal

The conflict marks a watershed for Israel in fighting a war as part of an alliance.

From Barron's

The Abraham Alliance would be a military and political watershed, serving three functions:

From The Wall Street Journal

Justin Seastrand, forest recreation manager at Angeles National Forest, said the East Fork watershed area would remain closed for another year due to severe burns that can cause flooding and possible debris flow.

From Los Angeles Times

But across 11 western states, 45% of the region is in at least a moderate drought, and large portions of the Colorado River watershed are in severe drought.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bowl
• lagoon
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• pool
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