tailwater

noun

tail·​wa·​ter ˈtāl-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce tailwater (audio)
-ˌwä-
1
: water below a dam or waterpower development
2
: excess surface water draining especially from a field under cultivation

Examples of tailwater 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.
Beaver tailwater: Austin Kennedy, fishing guide, reports trout are biting prepared baits such as Berkley Power Bait or Pautzke Fire Bait. Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025 Contract crews are currently on the ground, conducting a debris clean up project on a nature trail and surrounding areas near the tailwater launching ramp and fishing platform below Old Hickory Lock & Dam, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District said in a release. Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 White River, Arkansas The target 100-mile tailwater section below Bull Shoals Dam will showcase the species diversity of the White River. Outside Online, 29 May 2025 Groups representing anglers were also in favor as tailwater rainbow trout stocks have been hit in recent years by low water in Lake Powell, which has also caused temperatures to rise. James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tailwater

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailwater was in 1759

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Cite this Entry

“Tailwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailwater. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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