watershed

Meaning

Noun

1. (Australia, Ireland, New-Zealand, UK) The topographical boundary dividing two adjacent catchment basins, such as a ridge or a crest.
2. (Canada, US) A region of land within which water flows down into a specified body, such as a river, lake, sea, or ocean; a drainage basin.
3. (figuratively) A critical point marking a change in course or development.
4. (British, Canada) 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).

Adj

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

Synonyms

divide

water parting

water divide

drainage area

drainage basin

catchment area

catchment basin

turning point

drainage divide

basin

landmark

river basin

milestone

water shed

Wende

phase

safe harbor

sticking point

crossroads

valley

crisis

continental divide

height of land

coming about

conjuncture

hydrographic basin

water basin

place of partition

road to Damascus

Wend

water-parting

dividing ridge

catchment

valley catchment area

culmination

inflexion

inflection point

juncture

Translations

Wasserscheide

spartiacque

Wendepunkt

bassin hydrographique

cuenca

ligne de partage des eaux

waterscheiding

línea divisoria

bacino imbrifero

divisor de águas

tournant

bassin de drainage

bassin versant

stroomgebied

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈwɔːtəʃɛd/

Etymology

From water + shed. A calque of German Wasserscheide.