watershed
/ˈwɔːtəʃed/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwɔːtərʃed/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwȯ-tər-ˌshed ˈwä-/ (ame, mw)
watershed — 名詞
- watershedsingular
- watershedsplural
1. a moment or happening that causes a lasting shift in how things develop, so that
轉捩點
造成根本改變的關鍵事件
a moment or happening that causes a lasting shift in how things develop, so that the situation afterwards is fundamentally different from before.
The peace agreement was a watershed in the region's troubled history.
這項和平協議是該地區動盪歷史的一個轉捩點。
watershed + in + something — signals a context or field being transformed
For Lan, graduating from university marked a watershed that opened new career paths.
對 Lan 來說，大學畢業標誌著一個轉捩點，為她開啟了新的職業道路。
Many economists see the 2008 financial crisis as a watershed for global banking regulations.
許多經濟學家將 2008 年的金融危機視為全球銀行監管法規的轉捩點。
The invention of the smartphone was a watershed moment in communication technology.
智慧型手機的發明是通訊科技的一個轉捩點。
Nellie described the court ruling as a watershed in the fight for environmental justice.
Nellie 將這項法院裁決描述為環境正義運動中的一個轉捩點。
- turning point
more common in everyday speech; emphasises a change of direction rather than a permanent before/after divide
- milestone
focuses on progress and achievement along a path, not necessarily a dramatic shift
- landmark
emphasises that the event is notable and historic, but does not imply a complete break with the past
文法句型
watershed + in + noun phrase
watershed + for + noun phrase
watershed moment/event
用法筆記
Often used with the verb 'mark' or 'represent'. Frequently followed by 'in' to name the area of life or history that changed.
常見錯誤
2. a ridge or line of high ground that separates two different river systems, causi
分水嶺
分隔不同水系的高地稜線
a ridge or line of high ground that separates two different river systems, causing water to flow in opposite directions on each side.
The Continental Divide is the best-known watershed in North America.
大陸分水嶺是北美洲最著名的分水嶺。
the watershed — definite article is standard
Hikers reached the watershed and saw streams flowing toward two different oceans.
登山者抵達分水嶺，看到溪水流向兩個不同的海洋。
Selim explained that the small hill acted as a watershed between the two valleys.
Selim 解釋說，這座小山丘形成了兩個山谷之間的分水嶺。
Rain falling on the eastern side of the watershed flows into the Atlantic.
落在分水嶺東側的雨水會流入大西洋。
The mountain range creates a natural watershed that separates two drainage systems.
這條山脈形成了一個天然的分水嶺，分隔了兩個排水系統。
文法句型
the + watershed + between + noun phrase + and + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common in geography textbooks and hiking contexts. The definite article 'the' is almost always used before 'watershed' in this sense.
3. in the United Kingdom, the time at 9 p.m. after which television broadcasters ar
電視分水嶺
英國晚間9點後的成人節目時段
in the United Kingdom, the time at 9 p.m. after which television broadcasters are permitted to show programmes containing content unsuitable for children.
The documentary contained strong language and aired after the watershed.
這部紀錄片含有粗話，是在電視分水嶺之後播出的。
after the watershed — signals UK TV timing rule
Baraka's children were asleep by 8:30, well before the watershed.
Baraka 的孩子們在八點半前就睡了，遠在電視分水嶺之前。
before the watershed — opposite timing
Viewers complained about a violent advertisement shown before the watershed.
觀眾投訴在電視分水嶺之前播放了一則暴力廣告。
The broadcaster delayed the film until after the watershed to avoid offending younger viewers.
電視台將這部電影延後到電視分水嶺之後播出，以免冒犯年輕觀眾。
British television channels usually place adult comedy shows after the watershed.
英國電視頻道通常將成人喜劇節目安排在電視分水嶺之後播出。
- watershed hour
less common but used in official broadcasting guidelines
文法句型
after/before the watershed
past the watershed
the + watershed
用法筆記
This meaning is specific to the United Kingdom and is almost always used with the definite article: 'the watershed'. The most common prepositions are 'before' and 'after'.
常見錯誤
4. all the land that collects rain and directs it into one particular river, lake,
流域；集水區
河流及其支流的整個排水區域
all the land that collects rain and directs it into one particular river, lake, or sea.
The Amazon watershed covers millions of square kilometres across South America.
亞馬遜河流域涵蓋南美洲數百萬平方公里。
[proper noun] + watershed — naming a specific drainage basin
Pollution from factories upstream affects the entire watershed downstream.
上游工廠造成的污染會影響整個下游流域。
Mauricio's research focused on the health of the local watershed and its wildlife.
Mauricio 的研究著重於當地流域的健康狀況及其野生動物。
Farmers in the watershed were asked to limit their water use during the drought.
該流域的農民在乾旱期間被要求限制用水量。
The government created new rules to protect the watershed from industrial waste.
政府制定了新規定來保護流域免受工業廢棄物的污染。
- drainage basin
the preferred term in formal hydrology; equally common in academic writing
- catchment area
more common in British English and often used for smaller areas such as a reservoir's supply zone
- river basin
specifically refers to the area drained by a river and its tributaries
文法句型
the + noun phrase + watershed
watershed + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in environmental science, conservation, and water management contexts. Can be replaced by the term 'drainage basin' or 'catchment area' in most contexts.