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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Recent Examples of headwater
These burn areas create barriers around villages, headwaters and sensitive sites, protecting them from wildfires during peak drought.
—
ABC News,
7 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
The headwaters of the Yadkin River were not located in the area of heaviest rainfall and the threat for flooding has ended there.
—
Nc Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2026
From its headwaters high in the Oakland Hills throught the city's Fruitvale District to where the waters eventually empty into the Oakland Estuary and San Francisco Bay, Sausal Creek is a historic treasure.
—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for headwater
ABC News,
7 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
The headwaters of the Yadkin River were not located in the area of heaviest rainfall and the threat for flooding has ended there.
—
Nc Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2026
From its headwaters high in the Oakland Hills throught the city's Fruitvale District to where the waters eventually empty into the Oakland Estuary and San Francisco Bay, Sausal Creek is a historic treasure.
—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for headwater
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwater
Noun
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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.
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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.
Noun
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The source claimed that the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star checked into the facility voluntarily.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Headwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwater. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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