watercourse

[ waw-ter-kawrs, -kohrs, wot-er- ]

noun

1. a stream of water, as a river or brook.
2. the bed of a stream that flows only seasonally.
3. a natural channel conveying water.
4. a channel or canal made for the conveyance of water.

watercourse

/ ˈwɔːtəˌkɔːs /

noun

1. a stream, river, or canal
2. the channel, bed, or route along which this flows

Word History and Origins

Origin of watercourse¹

First recorded in 1500–10; water + course

Example Sentences

Hammer’s drone probe of Lagash “confirms the idea of settled islands interconnected by watercourses,” says University of Chicago archaeologist Augusta McMahon, one of three co–field directors of ongoing excavations at the site.

From Science News

Captain Trevithick has an interest in the mine of Coralillo; the great watercourse is also his.

From Project Gutenberg

Passing the flanking line of mesas, Bill pushed his way up a watercourse between two foothills.

From Project Gutenberg

In vain was all this overthrow and waste by the roadside, in vain their loss in river, pool, and watercourse.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a sort of dry watercourse, although if the rain kept on at this rate it would soon be a devilish wet one.

From Project Gutenberg

Below, on the bank of a small watercourse, was a large bit of enclosed and cultivated land, and beside this a fruit orchard.

From Project Gutenberg