Definition: A "river basin" is the whole area of land that is drained by a river and all the smaller rivers (called tributaries) that flow into it. Imagine a big bowl where all the water from the land around it flows down into the river.
In more advanced discussions, "river basin" can be used in contexts like: - "The hydrological cycle in the river basin affects local climate conditions." - "Environmental policies must consider the entire river basin to ensure sustainable development."
While "river basin" specifically refers to a geographical area, "basin" can also refer to: - A bowl-shaped container used for holding water (e.g., "a wash basin"). - The area of land that collects water from rainfall or melting snow and drains it into a river or lake.
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include "river basin," but you can use related terms in phrases: - "Run off": This phrasal verb refers to water that flows away from the land, which is important in discussing river basins (e.g., "The heavy rain caused a lot of run off into the river basin.").
A "river basin" is an important concept in understanding how water flows in nature and how different regions are connected through their waterways.