What does "watershed" mean?
The topographical boundary dividing two adjacent catchment basins, such as a ridge or a crest.
Watershed
/ˈwɔtɚʃɛd/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The topographical boundary dividing two adjacent catchment basins, such as a ridge or a crest.
- Grammar: watershed is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: catchment area, drainage area, drainage basin, landmark.
- Useful contrasts: nonwatershed, continuity, insignificant.
- Usage evidence: The Chesapeake watershed spans 64,000 squares miles, covering parts of six states—Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Over 17 million people live in this area.
How to use "watershed"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "watershed" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "watershed" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "watershed" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "watershed" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "watershed" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "catchment area" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "watershed", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The topographical boundary dividing two adjacent catchment basins, such as a ridge or a crest. Australia, Ireland, New-Zealand, UK
"After Lesjaverk (23 miles) the eastern end of Lesjaskogsvatn is reached. This lake has the distinction of being a watershed. From the east end flows the Lågen, the great river that runs down Gudbrandsdal to Lake Mjøsa, while from the west end the Rauma River emerges to flow down to the Romsdalfjord."
- 2 an event marking a unique or important historical change of course or one on which important developments depend wordnet
- 3 A region of land within which water flows down into a specified body, such as a river, lake, sea, or ocean; a drainage basin. Canada, US
- 4 the entire geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries; an area characterized by all runoff being conveyed to the same outlet wordnet
- 5 A critical point marking a change in course or development. figuratively
"In the minds of many, 1847 was a watershed year during which Ceres, Pallas, Juno, Vesta, and Astraea were reclassified as asteroids."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems wordnet
- 7 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). British, Canada
Adjective
- 1 Serving to mark a significant development, change in direction, etc. not-comparable
"Green's Dictionary of Slang is a watershed publication in the annals of slang lexicography, being, beyond doubt, the most comprehensive scholarly dictionary of slang ever published."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The Chesapeake watershed spans 64,000 squares miles, covering parts of six states—Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Over 17 million people live in this area."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "watershed"?
Common synonyms include: catchment area, drainage area, drainage basin, landmark, turning point, amazon basin.
How do you use "watershed" in a sentence?
The Chesapeake watershed spans 64,000 squares miles, covering parts of six states—Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Over 17 million people live in this area.
How do you pronounce "watershed"?
Pronounced /ˈwɔtɚʃɛd/.
Etymology
From water + shed. A calque of German Wasserscheide.