English · Word Candidate

watershed

/ˈwɔːtəʃɛd/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: watersheds

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The topographical boundary dividing two adjacent catchment basins, such as a ridge or a crest.

NounRegister: UK

Examples

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.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A region of land within which water flows down into a specified body, such as a river, lake, sea, or ocean; a drainage basin.

NounRegister: US

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

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

Adjective

Examples

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.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “watershed” mean?

The topographical boundary dividing two adjacent catchment basins, such as a ridge or a crest.

Is “watershed” formal or informal?

watershed is generally UK.