as in tributary
usually headwaters plural
the beginning part of a stream
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
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Recent Examples of headwater
That snowpack forms the headwaters of rivers including the Colorado, the Rio Grande, and the Arkansas.
—
Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Previous spills in Flint River The headwaters of the Flint River, which flows south all the way to Florida, begin from seepage around the area of the Atlanta airport, meaning any contaminants from that area can reach the river more easily.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Because of the mine’s location — at the headwaters of the BWCA — any potential pollution or acid mine drainage would likely flow into the wilderness area, Voyageurs National Park, and Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2026
The 22-mile lake on the Kenai Peninsula is the headwaters of the Kenai River, a waterway known for trout and salmon fishing.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headwater
Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Previous spills in Flint River The headwaters of the Flint River, which flows south all the way to Florida, begin from seepage around the area of the Atlanta airport, meaning any contaminants from that area can reach the river more easily.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Because of the mine’s location — at the headwaters of the BWCA — any potential pollution or acid mine drainage would likely flow into the wilderness area, Voyageurs National Park, and Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2026
The 22-mile lake on the Kenai Peninsula is the headwaters of the Kenai River, a waterway known for trout and salmon fishing.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headwater
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwater
Noun
-
Upper Basin States—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—contain headwater tributaries and receive much of their water resources through snowmelt and runoff that drain above Lee’s Ferry.—
Outside,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Multiple agencies are working to contain a fuel spill in a tributary that feeds the Woodbury Creek after a utility truck crashed on Route 295 in West Deptford, New Jersey, Wednesday morning.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Although the heat has everyone dealing with some degree of dampness, sweating is often a source of violent embarrassment for you.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The publication also seeks to become the community’s go-to source for reliable information on the rebuilding process and to provide specific advice for residents and businesses grappling with building permits and insurance claims.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwater. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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