River basin

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-002332",
  "term": "River basin",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definitions": [
    "The entire geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries, encompassing all the land from which water flows into that particular river system. Precipitation that falls within a river basin eventually contributes to the river's flow, either directly as surface runoff or indirectly through groundwater. The size of a river basin can range from a few square kilometers to millions of square kilometers.",
    "In hydrologic terms, drainage area of a river and its tributaries."
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "watershed",
    "drainage area"
  ],
  "references": [
    "NWS Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/river-basin/"
}