headwater

noun

head·​wa·​ter ˈhed-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce headwater (audio)
-ˌwä-
: the source of a stream
usually used in plural

Examples of headwater in a Sentence

the first exploration of the Missouri River from its mouth to its headwaters was made by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in the early 1800s
Recent Examples on the Web
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The mine would restrict access to its tribal members, on top of creating heightened risks of mine runoff entering into the headwaters and decreasing dwindling fish populations, according to the lawsuit. Kevin Fixler september 20, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2025 It could be said that more people have stood atop the headwaters of the Flint River than that of any other one on earth. David Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025 Enjoy hiking trails with scenic overlooks and opportunities for paddling ⛵ and fishing near the river’s headwaters. Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025 Ashia Wilson, a member of the Klamath Tribes who lives at the river’s headwaters, said that the week before the paddlers reached the mouth Upper Klamath Lake, the home to the endemic c’waam and koptu fish, is now too toxic to touch. Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for headwater

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of headwater was in 1612

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Cite this Entry

“Headwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headwater. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

headwater

noun
head·​wa·​ter -ˌwȯt-ər How to pronounce headwater (audio)
-ˌwät-
: the beginning and upper part of a stream
usually used in plural
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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