[syn: landmark, turning point, watershed]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Watershed \Wa"ter*shed`\, n. [Cf. G. wasserscheide; wasser water
+ scheide a place where two things separate, fr. scheiden to
separate.]
[1913 Webster]
1. The whole region or extent of country which contributes to
the supply of a river or lake.
[1913 Webster]
2. The line of division between two adjacent rivers or lakes
with respect to the flow of water by natural channels into
them; the natural boundary of a basin; -- called also
divide and water parting.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
3. a point in time marking an important transition between
two situations, or phases of an activity; a turning point.
[PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Divide \Di*vide"\, n.
A dividing ridge of land between the tributaries of two
streams; also called watershed and water parting. A
divide on either side of which the waters drain into two
different oceans is called a continental divide.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
watershed
n 1: a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems
[syn: watershed, water parting, divide]
2: the entire geographical area drained by a river and its
tributaries; an area characterized by all runoff being
conveyed to the same outlet; "flood control in the Missouri
basin" [syn: river basin, basin, watershed, drainage
basin, catchment area, catchment basin, drainage area]
3: an event marking a unique or important historical change of
course or one on which important developments depend; "the
agreement was a watershed in the history of both nations"
[syn: landmark, turning point, watershed]