{"word":"watershed","date":"2026-09-17","partOfSpeech":"noun","pronunciation":"WAW-ter-shed","definition":"a crucial dividing point, line, or factor","example":"The protests marked a watershed in the nation’s history.","etymology":"The word watershed originated from the combination of water and shed, with shed referring to a dividing line or ridge, and was first used in English in the 17th century to describe a geographical dividing line, particularly one separating drainage areas. The figurative extension of the term to describe a crucial dividing point or factor emerged in the 19th century.","source":"merriam-webster","sourceUrl":"https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/watershed-2026-09-17","fetchedAt":"2026-09-17T22:44:35.259Z","cached":false}