watershed

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : il peut désigner une ligne de partage des eaux (crête de terrain séparant deux systèmes fluviaux), tout le bassin versant d'un fleuve, ou un moment charnière / événement décisif marquant un changement majeur dans le cours de l'histoire ou d'un développement.

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.

   Ligne de partage des eaux

   • 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.

   Synonymesdivide

2. Drainage basinB2formalscientific

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

   Bassin versant

   • 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.

   Synonymesbasincatchmentcatchment 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.

   tournant

   • 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.

   Synonymesclimactericcritical pointdividelandmarkmilestonemoment of truthturning point