drainage basin

noun

1. the area drained by a river and all its tributaries.

drainage basin

noun

1. another name for catchment area

drainage basin

/ drā′nĭj /

1. An area drained by a river system. A drainage basin includes all areas that gather precipitation water and direct it to a particular stream, stream system, lake, or other body of standing water.

Word History and Origins

Origin of drainage basin¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

The evidences of many such village sites may be seen throughout all the region of the Missouri River drainage basin.

From Project Gutenberg

They are found in the Mississippi drainage basin and in certain southeastern streams.

From Project Gutenberg

This all represents earth material eroded from the drainage basin of the river.

From Project Gutenberg

The drainage basin of Passaic River is admirably adapted to the development of the conservation system.

From Project Gutenberg

Table showing detailed facts regarding possible reservoir sites on Passaic drainage basin.

From Project Gutenberg