watershed

What it means

1. AustraliaIrelandNew ZealandUKgeographyThe topographical boundary dividing two adjacent catchment basins, such as a ridge or a crest.

   After Lesjaverk (23 miles) the eastern end of Lesjaskogsvatn is reached. This lake has the distinction of being a watershed. From the east end flows the Lågen, the great river that runs down Gudbrandsdal to Lake Mjøsa, while from the west end the Rauma River emerges to flow down to the Romsdalfjord.

   1956 September, M. D. Greville, “Through the Romsdal by Rail”, in Railway Magazine, page 594

   Synonyms: water parting, drainage divide, water divide, divide

2. CanadaUSgeographyA region of land within which water flows down into a specified body, such as a river, lake, sea, or ocean; a drainage basin.

   Synonyms: catchment basin, catchment, catchment area, drainage area, river basin, water basin

3. figurativelyA critical point marking a change in course or development.

   watershed moment — watershed event — watershed ruling

   3 more examples

   In the minds of many, 1847 was a watershed year during which Ceres, Pallas, Juno, Vesta, and Astraea were reclassified as asteroids.

   2009 [2007], David A. Weintraub, Is Pluto a Planet?: A Historical Journey through the Solar System, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, →ISBN, page 115

   Coronavirus has been a watershed for the railways. It has accelerated the decline of season tickets and reduced business travel after years of steadily rising passenger numbers.

   2021 November 17, Anthony Lambert, “How do we grow the leisure market?”, in RAIL, number 944, page 34

   In a 2,000-word blog post published ahead of the press event, Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, called this a “watershed year” and acknowledged the potential downsides, calling for “wide-ranging and deep conversations” on the issues.

   2023 February 7, Cade Metz, Karen Weise, “Microsoft Throws a Coming-Out Party for A.I.”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   Synonyms: turning point, crossroads

In a sentence

After Lesjaverk (23 miles) the eastern end of Lesjaskogsvatn is reached. This lake has the distinction of being a watershed. From the east end flows the Lågen, the great river that runs down Gudbrandsdal to Lake Mjøsa, while from the west end the Rauma River emerges to flow down to the Romsdalfjord.

1956 September, M. D. Greville, “Through the Romsdal by Rail”, in Railway Magazine, page 594

Where it comes from

1. GermanWasserscheide
2. Englishwatershed

From water + shed as a calque of German Wasserscheide.