high water

American  

noun

1. water at its greatest elevation, as in a river.

2. high tide.

---

high water British  

noun

1. another name for high tide

2. the state of any stretch of water at its highest level, as during a flood

---

Etymology

Origin of high water

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

It was the high water mark of their relationship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

On Tuesday night, DWP announced the problem and said customers should urgently conserve water, but that high water demand coupled with the restricted water flow left the tank drained by about 7 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

Rescuers also had to battle high water levels in rivers and fallen trees.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2024

These contracts are signed in advance of a drought and can provide both cost savings and high water supply reliability for cities, which can use them to quickly acquire water from irrigators during dry periods.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2024

Moistening the clay was easy—capillary action will draw up water from the floodplain, which has a high water table.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann