Headwaters - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Headwaters are the source or beginning of a river, typically found in highland areas where small streams converge. They mark the furthest point upstream in a river system.
Definition:
The source or upper part of a river or stream.
Synonyms:
source, origin, spring, fountainhead
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
mouth, delta, estuary
Common Collocations:
explore headwaters, protect headwaters, headwaters region, headwaters of the river
Derivatives:
headwater (singular), headwatered (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "headwaters" to refer to the starting point of a river, often in mountainous or remote areas.
Common Phrases:
"headwaters of the Amazon, " "protect the headwaters, " "explore the headwaters"
Etymology:
From Old English "hēafod" (head) + "wæter" (water), meaning the uppermost part of a watercourse.
Examples:
- 1. The Mississippi River's headwaters are in Minnesota.
- 2. We hiked to the headwaters of the Colorado River.
- 3. Pollution threatens the fragile ecosystem of these headwaters.
- 4. The team studied the headwaters to understand flooding patterns.