as in tributary
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of headwaters
Its headwaters are in Indian River County, its mouth in the Atlantic near Jacksonville, which is the furthest place Sanders Fish House delivers its wild catch.
—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Lake Assinica in the Broadback headwaters has attracted world-wide attention for its giant squaretails the past two years.
—
Marc Terziev,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2026
Long-term drought fueled by climate change has shrunk the Colorado River’s flows as federal officials and water leaders in the seven basin states — including Colorado, home to its headwaters — struggle to agree on longer-term plans for the river’s management.
—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
While the river’s headwaters are near Salem, most of the outfitters are located in Steelville.
—
Kelsey Yandura,
Midwest Living,
17 June 2026
These burn areas create barriers around villages, headwaters and sensitive sites, protecting them from wildfires during peak drought.
—
ABC News,
7 June 2026
The Cassai Life Atlas discoveries build on a decade's worth of surveys led by the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project within the Okavango and Lungwevungu headwaters, which uncovered a combined total of over 70 species confirmed new to science, according to The Wilderness Project.
—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
The headwaters of the Yadkin River were not located in the area of heaviest rainfall and the threat for flooding has ended there.
—
Nc Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2026
From its headwaters high in the Oakland Hills throught the city's Fruitvale District to where the waters eventually empty into the Oakland Estuary and San Francisco Bay, Sausal Creek is a historic treasure.
—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Lake Assinica in the Broadback headwaters has attracted world-wide attention for its giant squaretails the past two years.
—
Marc Terziev,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2026
Long-term drought fueled by climate change has shrunk the Colorado River’s flows as federal officials and water leaders in the seven basin states — including Colorado, home to its headwaters — struggle to agree on longer-term plans for the river’s management.
—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
While the river’s headwaters are near Salem, most of the outfitters are located in Steelville.
—
Kelsey Yandura,
Midwest Living,
17 June 2026
These burn areas create barriers around villages, headwaters and sensitive sites, protecting them from wildfires during peak drought.
—
ABC News,
7 June 2026
The Cassai Life Atlas discoveries build on a decade's worth of surveys led by the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project within the Okavango and Lungwevungu headwaters, which uncovered a combined total of over 70 species confirmed new to science, according to The Wilderness Project.
—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
The headwaters of the Yadkin River were not located in the area of heaviest rainfall and the threat for flooding has ended there.
—
Nc Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2026
From its headwaters high in the Oakland Hills throught the city's Fruitvale District to where the waters eventually empty into the Oakland Estuary and San Francisco Bay, Sausal Creek is a historic treasure.
—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwaters
Noun
-
Rough weather rolled over the Colorado community of Evergreen on Wednesday night, swelling Bear Creek and tributaries and tossing debris and mud into homes and downtown.
-
The property features over a mile of frontage along Fall River and controls two of the river’s primary spring-fed tributaries — Spring Creek and Lava Creek, according to Hall and Hall.
Noun
-
The source claimed that the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star checked into the facility voluntarily.
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are expected to take over Madison Square Garden for two events celebrating their wedding, ABC News and CNN reported on June 30, citing sources familiar with the plans.
Cite this Entry
“Headwaters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwaters. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
