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
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Recent Examples of headwaters
The ultimate vision for P2P, as it is nicknamed, is for a 65-mile trail that follows Clear Creek from the South Platte through Denver, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Idaho Springs and Georgetown, terminating at the headwaters on Loveland Pass.
—
John Meyer, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
The northernmost headwaters of the Florida Everglades, Shingle Creek flows from the city into nearby Lake Tohopekaliga, eventually reaching the Everglades.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
The good news, at least for the broader Colorado River and its headwaters in the Rockies, is that there are months to go before the book on Water Year 2026 snowfall and snowmelt closes in July.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 7 Mar. 2026
In recent years, high-elevation residents have been detected near Donner Lake and the headwaters of the American River's north fork.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
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
John Meyer, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
The northernmost headwaters of the Florida Everglades, Shingle Creek flows from the city into nearby Lake Tohopekaliga, eventually reaching the Everglades.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
The good news, at least for the broader Colorado River and its headwaters in the Rockies, is that there are months to go before the book on Water Year 2026 snowfall and snowmelt closes in July.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 7 Mar. 2026
In recent years, high-elevation residents have been detected near Donner Lake and the headwaters of the American River's north fork.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwaters
Noun
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All of western Colorado relies on water from the river and its tributaries.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2026
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Since launching Delfin in 2006, Urteaga has worked hand in hand with Amazonian communities, primarily those within the Marañón and Ucayali river systems and their tributaries, to create a two-way dialogue between travelers and those who call the area home.—
Lale Arikoglu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Buying rather than leasing detention facilities will give ICE greater control over operations that would otherwise fall under state and local governments’ purview, sources said.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Mar. 2026
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The highlighted business is a past winner of a Community Choice Award, and this spotlight was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), using the business’s website, Yelp reviews and online map listings as sources.—
Community's Choice Awards,
jsonline.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headwaters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwaters. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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