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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The French Broad River is one of a few dozen rivers in the U.S. that flow north, from its headwaters near Rosman, North Carolina, through the Appalachian range and into Tennessee. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 The Milwaukee River basin spans more than 880 square miles across southeastern Wisconsin, from the river's headwaters in Fond du Lac County to its outlet into Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024 The headwaters of the Indus lie in India (hence the country’s name) while most of the river and its five major tributaries now flow through Pakistan. Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 At Shingle Creek, just outside Kissimmee, a peaceful paddle at the headwaters of the Everglades often results in spotting these serene creatures gliding through the water. Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near headwater

Cite this Entry

“Headwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headwater. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

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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