watershed
Translation
watershed, turning point, divide
Examples
The river's watershed covers a huge area.
The river's watershed covers a huge area.
Her invention was a watershed in the industry.
Her invention was a watershed in the industry.
Grammar Patterns
((a watershed)) a geographical area The Amazon watershed is the largest in the world.
((a watershed in sth.)) a turning point in something The discovery was a watershed in medical history.
Similar Words
Synonyms: turning point, milestone, divide (geographical), catchment area (geographical)
Etymology
From 'water' + 'shed' (in the sense of a divide or ridge). Water 'sheds' or flows down from this high point.
Memory Tips
Picture a mountain ridge (the 'shed') where water flows to different sides. This is a clear dividing line, just as a figurative watershed is a dividing point in time.