watershed
watershed Lexical Profile
watershed Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A critical turning point, milestone, or historic event after which things are never the same.
"The invention of the printing press was a major watershed in the spread of human literacy."
North American The entire geographical area or region of land that drains into a particular river, lake, or body of water.
"Conservationists are working to reduce agricultural runoff throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed."
An elevated ridge or line of high land separating the waters flowing into different rivers, basins, or seas.
"The Continental Divide forms the primary hydrological watershed of North America."
British The designated time in the evening (traditionally 9:00 p.m.) after which television programmes with adult content may be broadcast.
"Because of its strong language, the drama could only be aired after the nine o'clock watershed."
• adjective
Marking a critical turning point or historic shift in a course of events (used before a noun).
"The Supreme Court ruling was a watershed moment in the history of civil rights legislation."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British English, 'watershed' primarily denotes the elevated ridge dividing two drainage systems, whereas in North American English it commonly refers to the entire drainage basin itself.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 19th century as a loan translation of the German 'Wasserscheide' (literally 'water parting'), combining 'water' with the archaic sense of 'shed' meaning to divide or separate.