Thesaurus results for HEADWATER

headwater

noun

ˈhed-ˌwȯ-tər

Definition of headwater

as in tributary

usually headwaters plural the beginning part of a stream the first exploration of the Missouri River from its mouth to its headwaters was made by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in the early 1800s

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of headwater Its headwaters are in Indian River County, its mouth in the Atlantic near Jacksonville, which is the furthest place Sanders Fish House delivers its wild catch. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026 The headwaters of the Colorado River, a vital source of water for 35 million people and 5 million acres of farmland, is drier than anyone can remember, my colleague Ian James reports. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Long-term drought fueled by climate change has shrunk the Colorado River’s flows as federal officials and water leaders in the seven basin states — including Colorado, home to its headwaters — struggle to agree on longer-term plans for the river’s management. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 21 June 2026 The Cassai Life Atlas discoveries build on a decade's worth of surveys led by the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project within the Okavango and Lungwevungu headwaters, which uncovered a combined total of over 70 species confirmed new to science, according to The Wilderness Project. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for headwater

Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwater

Noun

Rough weather rolled over the Colorado community of Evergreen on Wednesday night, swelling Bear Creek and tributaries and tossing debris and mud into homes and downtown.

— Alan Gionet, CBS News, 25 June 2026
The property features over a mile of frontage along Fall River and controls two of the river’s primary spring-fed tributaries — Spring Creek and Lava Creek, according to Hall and Hall.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of tributary

Noun

The source claimed that the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star checked into the facility voluntarily.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are expected to take over Madison Square Garden for two events celebrating their wedding, ABC News and CNN reported on June 30, citing sources familiar with the plans.

— Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of source

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“Headwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwater. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of headwater

noun

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