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
Desert rivers:Why river advocates say Arizona's upper Verde should earn 'Wild and Scenic' protections
Protecting the Upper Verde River
In the shadow of Little Thumb Butte, the perennial springs flowing from the canyons form the headwaters of the Verde River.
—
John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2024
The state is also undertaking difficult but necessary work to improve management of its vitally important groundwater resources, as well as the headwater forests that supply some two-thirds of the state’s water.
—Letitia Grenier, The Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2024
In Itasca State Park, the state's oldest state park, lie the 18-foot-wide headwaters of the Mississippi River.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 23 Sep. 2024
The French Broad River is one of a few dozen rivers in the U.S. that flow north, from its headwaters near Rosman, North Carolina, through the Appalachian range and into Tennessee.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for headwater 
John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2024
The state is also undertaking difficult but necessary work to improve management of its vitally important groundwater resources, as well as the headwater forests that supply some two-thirds of the state’s water.
—Letitia Grenier, The Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2024
In Itasca State Park, the state's oldest state park, lie the 18-foot-wide headwaters of the Mississippi River.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 23 Sep. 2024
The French Broad River is one of a few dozen rivers in the U.S. that flow north, from its headwaters near Rosman, North Carolina, through the Appalachian range and into Tennessee.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for headwater
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Cite this Entry
“Headwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwater. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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