Word
headwaters
Phoneticshead·wa·ters, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɛdˌwɔtɝz/
UK/hˈɛdwɔːtəz/
Plural noun
Definition
n. the small streams where a large river starts. You usually find them high up in hills or mountains.
n. the streams and springs furthest upstream that join together to form a larger river system.
Examples
“The headwaters of the river lie high in the mountains.”
“Farmers upstream protect the headwaters to keep the town's drinking water clean all year.”
“The expedition traced the headwaters through dense forest, mapping the small springs and streams that join to form the great river downstream.”
Examples
simple
“The headwaters of the river lie high in the mountains.”
contextual
“Farmers upstream protect the headwaters to keep the town's drinking water clean all year.”
complex
“The expedition traced the headwaters through dense forest, mapping the small springs and streams that join to form the great river downstream.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “headwaters” in context.
Verb
01. explore headwaters
“The expedition plans to explore headwaters never mapped before.”
verb + noun
02. headwaters flow
“The headwaters flow through dense forest before joining the main river.”
noun + verb
03. headwaters originate
“The headwaters originate in glaciers near the northern border.”
noun + verb
04. headwaters rise
“The headwaters rise high in the Himalayas above 4000 metres.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. forested headwaters
“Logging threatens the forested headwaters of the national park.”
adj + noun
06. mountain headwaters
“Snowmelt feeds the mountain headwaters each spring.”
adj + noun
07. pristine headwaters
“The pristine headwaters support rare trout and insect species.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. headwaters of river
“The headwaters of the river lie in an uninhabited mountain valley.”
noun + prep + noun
09. pollution of headwaters
“Pollution of headwaters threatens drinking water for millions downstream.”
noun + prep + noun
10. explore the pristine headwaters
“Kayakers came to explore the pristine headwaters of the Zambezi.”
11. high in the headwaters
“Gold mining high in the headwaters has polluted the water.”
12. in the remote headwaters
“Rare orchids were discovered in the remote headwaters of the Amazon.”
Usage
Takes a plural verb even when referring to one river system.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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