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
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Recent Examples of headwaters
The headwaters of the Big Thompson River snake across an emerald plain, past beaver dams and aspen groves and toward the highest peaks of the Front Range.
—
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 23 Oct. 2025
Biologist Fabiola ‘Fabby’ Baeza-Tarin and an unexpected team work together to protect the sparrows, their shrinking habitat and the headwaters of the Everglades.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
The Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway is a looped route, one that meanders through the Chattahoochee National Forest and encircles the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
The mine would restrict access to its tribal members, on top of creating heightened risks of mine runoff entering into the headwaters and decreasing dwindling fish populations, according to the lawsuit.
—Kevin Fixler
september 20, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2025
It could be said that more people have stood atop the headwaters of the Flint River than that of any other one on earth.
—David Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
Enjoy hiking trails with scenic overlooks and opportunities for paddling ⛵ and fishing near the river’s headwaters.
—Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
Ashia Wilson, a member of the Klamath Tribes who lives at the river’s headwaters, said that the week before the paddlers reached the mouth Upper Klamath Lake, the home to the endemic c’waam and koptu fish, is now too toxic to touch.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
The heaviest rain is expected to occur across the headwaters of Peters Creek and Cache Creek.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 23 Oct. 2025
Biologist Fabiola ‘Fabby’ Baeza-Tarin and an unexpected team work together to protect the sparrows, their shrinking habitat and the headwaters of the Everglades.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
The Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway is a looped route, one that meanders through the Chattahoochee National Forest and encircles the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
The mine would restrict access to its tribal members, on top of creating heightened risks of mine runoff entering into the headwaters and decreasing dwindling fish populations, according to the lawsuit.
—Kevin Fixler
september 20, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2025
It could be said that more people have stood atop the headwaters of the Flint River than that of any other one on earth.
—David Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
Enjoy hiking trails with scenic overlooks and opportunities for paddling ⛵ and fishing near the river’s headwaters.
—Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
Ashia Wilson, a member of the Klamath Tribes who lives at the river’s headwaters, said that the week before the paddlers reached the mouth Upper Klamath Lake, the home to the endemic c’waam and koptu fish, is now too toxic to touch.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
The heaviest rain is expected to occur across the headwaters of Peters Creek and Cache Creek.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwaters
Noun
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This practice had its own history, another tributary to the overshoot conjuncture that weighed heavily on its future course.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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To date, this and other restoration efforts have helped to restore oyster reefs across nearly 1,800 acres in ten different tributaries to the bay.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But for much of the past two centuries, Port Renfrew’s main source of employment was not promoting trees but rather chopping them down—particularly, giant, old-growth trees that fetched the highest value.—
Brad Badelt,
Outside,
11 Nov. 2025
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One of the things that particularly irked fans was a report after the trade that slammed Dončić’s conditioning, with ESPN citing sources inside the franchise revealing frustration with his diet.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Headwaters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwaters. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.
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