high-water

1 of 2

adjective

high-wa·​ter ˈhī-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce high-water (audio)
-ˌwä-
: unusually short
high-water pants

high water

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples of high-water in a Sentence

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.
Adjective
The potential addition of 80 Clarkson to that short list of nine-figure homes marks a true high-water moment for the downtown area. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Jan. 2026 The Venezuelan wave hit a high-water mark in 2025 with alternative band Rawayana’s debut at Coachella and their historic Grammy win with their fifth studio album, ¿Quién Trae las Cornetas? Leonor C. Suárez, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
Save the Dunes previously fought a similar legal fight in Long Beach, setting a precedent and inspiring a state law that locks in where the high water mark is calculated to indicate the boundary between private and public land. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026 That amount exceeds what is consumed in South Florida daily, and during times of high water the state’s flood control procedures require that even more freshwater be discharged to the coasts. Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for high-water

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of high-water was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“High-water.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high-water. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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