high-water

1 of 2

adjective

high-wa·​ter ˈhī-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: unusually short

high-water pants

high water

2 of 2

noun

: a high stage of the water in a river or lake

also : high tide sense 1

Examples of high-water in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The euphoria of Belichick’s first five minutes as UNC’s coach remains the high-water mark of his tenure. — David Ubben, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

The Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company also responded to the motels with a high-water rescue vehicle. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Noun

Tide gauges showed the ocean was nearly two feet higher than normal, but this was still two feet below the high water mark set by Irma in Miami-Dade. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

In addition, 2nd Street at the waste water treatment plant is closed due to high water. — Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for high-water

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater