Definition: A "drainage area" (noun) refers to a specific geographical region where all the rainwater and melted snow flows into a common outlet, usually a river, lake, or ocean. This area includes all the land that collects water and directs it towards this outlet.
"The drainage area of the Mississippi River includes parts of several states, as all the water from those states eventually flows into the river."
In more advanced discussions, you might encounter terms like "watershed" or "catchment area," which are often used interchangeably with "drainage area," although there can be slight differences in their definitions depending on the context.
While "drainage area" itself does not have idioms or phrasal verbs, you might encounter phrases like: - "To drain (something) away": This means to remove water from a place. - "In the drain": Figuratively used to describe something that is wasted or lost.
Understanding the term "drainage area" helps in discussions about how water moves across landscapes and the importance of managing water resources effectively.