watershed

• Существительное с несколькими значениями: может обозначать водораздел (гребень земли, разделяющий две речные системы), весь водосборный бассейн реки, или критический поворотный момент/событие, знаменующее значительное изменение в ходе истории или развития.

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to a ridge of land separating two river systems, the entire drainage area of a river, or a critical turning point or event that marks a significant change in the course of history or development.

1. Geographic divideB2formalscientific

   A ridge of high land that separates two adjacent river systems, directing water flow to different basins.

   Водораздел

   • The Continental Divide is a major watershed in North America.
   • Rain falling on one side of the watershed flows into the Atlantic, while the other side drains into the Pacific.
   • Hikers crossed the watershed ridge, noticing the streams began flowing in opposite directions.

   Synonymsdivide

2. Drainage basinB2formalscientific

   The entire geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries, where all runoff converges to a single outlet.

   Водосборный бассейн

   • The Amazon watershed covers a vast portion of South America.
   • Environmentalists study the health of the entire watershed to protect water quality.
   • The river's watershed includes many smaller streams and creeks.

   Synonymsbasincatchmentcatchment areadrainage areadrainage basinriver basin

3. Turning pointB2formal

   An event or period that marks a significant historical change or a crucial point on which future developments depend.

   Поворотный момент

   • The election was a watershed in the country's political history.
   • The invention of the internet was a watershed moment for global communication.
   • The court's decision served as a watershed for civil rights legislation.

   Synonymsclimactericcritical pointdividelandmarkmilestonemoment of truthturning point