watercourse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "watercourse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a natural or artificial channel through which water flows, such as rivers, streams, or drainage systems. Example: "The construction project was delayed due to the discovery of a protected watercourse that needed to be preserved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reading the glossary, I was amazed by the compressive elegance of its lexis, and its capacity for fine discrimination: a caochan, for instance, is "a slender moor-stream obscured by vegetation such that it is virtually hidden from sight", while a feadan is "a small stream running from a moorland loch", and a fèith is "a fine vein-like watercourse running through peat, often dry in the summer".

The Guardian - Books

It also funds a shadow budget that squanders money by smothering almost every hillside and watercourse in concrete, and by building bridges and roads that lead nowhere useful.

The Economist

This new watercourse, over a decade in the making, will push 13 billion cubic metres of water more than 1,200km from the Danjiangkou dam in the central province of Hubei to the capital, Beijing.

The Economist

Though pleased with their own performance, the Greens are not likely to find much common ground with National when they come to such cherished issues as agricultural emissions and rural watercourse pollution.

The Economist

A notable underground watercourse in Derbyshire is the River Wye, which disappears into Plunge Hole and then traverses Poole's Hole, near Buxton.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The várzeas fan out again as the watercourse approaches the Atlantic, but no delta extends into the ocean.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Protopterus species build a nest in the form of a pit on the bottom of a watercourse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In its lower reaches this watercourse achieves a year-round flow and is called Wadi Masīlah.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After a decade of construction, the stage-one watercourse was completed at a total cost of $3.8 billion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Levels, in fact, begin to rise when the watercourse is still obstructed by ice; and maximum levels, which occur by May on the upper Ob, may not be reached until June, July, or even August on the lower reaches.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Maʾrib Dam (Arabic: Sadd Maʾrib) was built to regulate the waters of the Wadi (watercourse) Sadd, called Wadi Sabaʾ in antiquity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing natural landscapes or geographical features, use "watercourse" to provide a precise and somewhat formal tone. It is particularly suitable when discussing the hydrological aspects of a region.

Common error

Avoid using "watercourse" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "stream", "river", or "channel" are often more appropriate and sound less pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "watercourse" is as a noun, referring to a channel through which water flows. Ludwig indicates it is a correct and usable term. Examples show its use in describing geographical features and environmental concerns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

41%

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "watercourse" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun, typically employed in formal and neutral contexts to describe a channel through which water flows. According to Ludwig, the term is considered accurate and appropriate for use in written English. Primarily found in encyclopedias and news media, "watercourse" serves to precisely identify geographical features or related environmental concerns. When writing, remember to consider the formality of the context and opt for simpler terms like "stream" or "river" in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stream

A general term for a body of flowing water; simpler and more common.

river

A large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another river; implies greater size and importance.

waterway

A navigable body of water; focuses on usability for transport.

channel

A length of water wider than a strait, joining two larger areas of water, especially two seas; more general, also used for artificial routes.

brook

A small stream; implies a smaller, more gentle flow.

creek

A stream or minor tributary; similar to brook, but can also refer to tidal inlets.

rill

A tiny stream; emphasizes its small size.

drainage ditch

An artificial channel for removing water; highlights its purpose.

aqueduct

An artificial channel for conveying water, typically for irrigation or water supply; emphasizes its engineered nature.

tributary

A stream feeding a larger stream or lake; focuses on its role in a larger system.

FAQs

How can I use "watercourse" in a sentence?

Use "watercourse" to refer to any channel, natural or artificial, through which water flows. For example, "The environmental impact assessment focused on the effects of the new highway on the local "watercourse"."

What can I say instead of "watercourse"?

You can use alternatives like "stream", "river", or "channel" depending on the specific context and size of the body of water.

Is "watercourse" a formal term?

While grammatically correct in various contexts, "watercourse" tends to be more formal and technical. It is often preferred in scientific, legal, or geographical discussions over simpler terms like "stream" or "river".

What is the difference between "watercourse" and "waterway"?

"Watercourse" refers to any channel through which water flows, while "waterway" specifically implies a navigable body of water used for transportation. Not all watercourses are waterways, but all waterways are watercourses.