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Definition of 'watershed'

Word Frequency

watershed

(wɔːtəʳʃed )
Word forms: plural watersheds
1. countable noun [usually singular]
If something such as an event is a watershed in the history or development of something, it is very important because it represents the beginning of a new stage in it.
The election of Mary Robinson in 1990 was a watershed in Irish politics. [+ in]
That performance is still cited by many fans as a watershed moment.
Synonyms: turning point, defining moment, pivotal moment, tipping point   More Synonyms of watershed
2. countable noun
The watershed is a time before which television broadcasters have agreed not to show programmes unsuitable for children, for example programmes that contain scenes of sex or violence.
[British]
Bad language before the watershed is widely resented.
The advert should only be shown after the 9pm watershed.
3. countable noun
A watershed is an area of high ground which divides two or more river systems, so that all streams on one side flow into one river and those on the other side flow into a different river.
[technical]
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

watershed in 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
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

watershed in American

(ˈwɔtərˌʃɛd ; wôtˈərshedˌ)
noun
1. 
a ridge or stretch of high land dividing the areas drained by different rivers or river systems
2.  US
the area drained by a river or river system
3. 
a crucial turning point affecting action, opinion, etc.
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Example sentences containing 'watershed'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
`Think Rose, they used to say that life begins at forty, so why don't you make that the watershed to make your life start again? Isabel Wolff RESCUING ROSE (2002)The decision to pursue a collaborative tone rather than to press for the seizure of birds was a very significant watershed. Tony Juniper SPIX'S MACAW: THE RACE TO SAVE THE WORLD'S RAREST BIRD (2002)"We had reached the watershed then and were looking down towards Ice Cold and the skeletal shape of the screening plant. Innes, Hammond HIGH STAND (2002)

Word Lists

Geography terms and features

Trends of 'watershed'

In Common Usage. watershed is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'watershed'

British English: watershed NOUN
If something such as an event is a watershed in the history or development of something, it is very important because it represents the beginning of a new stage in it.
Her election was a watershed in the country's politics.
  • American English: watershed
  • Brazilian Portuguese: momento crítico
  • Chinese: 分水岭
  • European Spanish: momento crítico
  • French: tournant
  • German: Wendepunkt
  • Italian: spartiacque
  • Japanese: 決定的な分かれ目
  • Korean: 분수령
  • European Portuguese: momento crítico
  • Spanish: momento crítico

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Nearby words of 'watershed'

  • waters
  • waters break/break sb's waters
  • waterscape
  • watershed
  • waterside
  • watersider
  • watersmeet

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'W'

Source

Definition of watershed from the Collins English Dictionary

Types of noun

Nouns can be classified according to what they refer to. Nouns that are really names are called proper nouns. Proper nouns usually refer to a particular named person or thing. They include: the na...
Read more about 'Types of noun'
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Scrabble score for 'watershed': 16
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