watershed

English Online Dictionary. What means watershed‎? What does watershed mean?

English

Etymology

From water +‎ shed, a calque of German Wasserscheide, a compound of Wasser (“water”) + scheiden (“to divide”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈwɔːtəʃɛd/
• (US) enPR: wôʹtərshĕd, IPA^(key): /ˈwɔtɚʃɛd/
• Hyphenation: wa‧ter‧shed

Noun

watershed (plural watersheds)

1. (hydrology, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand) The topographical boundary dividing two adjacent catchment basins, such as a ridge or a crest.

   Synonyms: water parting, drainage divide, water divide, divide

2. (hydrology, US, Canada) A region of land within which water flows down into a specified body, such as a river, lake, sea, or ocean; a drainage basin.

   Synonyms: catchment basin, catchment, catchment area, drainage area, river basin, water basin

3. (figurative) A critical point marking a change in course or development.

   Synonyms: turning point, crossroads
4. (Canada, British, television, radio) The time during the day which material of a more adult nature (e.g., violence, swear words, or sex) may be broadcast on television or radio, either one permitted by law or one contrived from convention (e.g. when children are not watching).

   Synonym: (US) safe harbor

Derived terms

Translations

Adjective

watershed (not comparable)

1. Serving to mark a significant development, change in direction, etc.

Synonyms

• momentous
• climacteric

Anagrams

• draw sheet, drawsheet