watershed

• 名词，有多重含义：可指分水岭（分隔两条水系的山脊），也可指整个流域（河流的集水区），还可用作比喻，指历史或发展过程中的重大转折点或标志性事件。

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.

   分水岭

   • 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.

   同义词divide

2. Drainage basinB2formalscientific

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

   流域

   • 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.

   同义词basincatchmentcatchment 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.

   转折点

   • 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.

   同义词climactericcritical pointdividelandmarkmilestonemoment of truthturning point