river basin

/ˌraɪvər ˌbeɪsn/
/ˈrɪvə ˈbeɪsɪn/
IPA guide

Other forms: river basins

Definitions of river basin
  1. noun
    the entire geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries; an area characterized by all runoff being conveyed to the same outlet
    synonyms: basin, catchment area, catchment basin, drainage area, drainage basin, watershed
    see moresee less
    types:
    detention basin
    a storage site (such as a small reservoir) that delays the flow of water downstream
    retention basin
    a storage site similar to a detention basin but the water in storage is permanently obstructed from flowing downstream
    type of:
    geographic area, geographic region, geographical area, geographical region
    a demarcated area of the Earth
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