Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 ADJ Something which is waterproof does not let water pass through it. □  Take waterproof clothing–Orkney weather is unpredictable.

2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Waterproofs are items of clothing which do not let water in. [mainly BRIT ] □  For staying dry you'll want nice lightweight waterproofs to wear over your leathers.

3 VERB [usu passive] If something is waterproofed , it is treated so that water cannot pass through it or damage it. □ [be V -ed] The whole boat has been totally waterproofed.

wa |ter rate (water rates ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] In Britain, the charges made for the use of water from the public water supply are known as the water rates .

wa ter-resistant ADJ Something that is water-resistant does not allow water to pass through it easily, or is not easily damaged by water. □  Microfibre fabrics are both water-resistant and windproof.

water|shed /wɔː tə ^r ʃed/ (watersheds )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If something such as an event is a watershed in the history or development of something, it is very important because it represents the beginning of a new stage in it. □ [+ in ] The election of Mary Robinson in 1990 was a watershed in Irish politics.

2 N‑COUNT The watershed is a time before which television broadcasters have agreed not to show programmes unsuitable for children, for example programmes that contain scenes of sex or violence. [BRIT ] □  The advert should only be shown after the 9pm watershed.

water|side /wɔː tə ^r sa I d/ N‑SING [oft N n] The waterside is the area beside a stretch of water such as a river or lake. □  Her garden stretches down to the waterside.

wa ter-ski (water-skis , water-skiing , water-skied ) also waterski VERB If you water-ski , you stand on skis in the water while being pulled along by a boat. □ [V ] The staff will be happy to help arrange for you to swim, sail, or water-ski. ●  water-skiing N‑UNCOUNT □  He offered to teach them water-skiing.

wa ter-so luble also water soluble ADJ Something that is water-soluble dissolves in water. □  Vitamin C is water soluble. □  …oat bran and other water-soluble fibres.

wa |ter sup|ply (water supplies ) N‑COUNT The water supply in an area is the water which is collected and passed through pipes to buildings for people to use. □  The town is without electricity and the water supply has been cut off.

wa |ter ta|ble (water tables ) N‑COUNT The water table is the level below the surface of the ground where water can be found. □  Environmentalists say that diverting water from the river will lower the water table.

water|tight /wɔː tə ^r ta I t/ also water-tight

1 ADJ Something that is watertight does not allow water to pass through it, for example because it is tightly sealed. □  The flask is completely watertight, even when laid on its side.

2 ADJ A watertight case, argument, or agreement is one that has been so carefully put together that nobody will be able to find a fault in it. □  The police had a watertight case. They even got his fingerprints from that glass cabinet.

wa |ter tow|er (water towers ) N‑COUNT A water tower is a large tank of water which is placed on a high metal structure so that water can be supplied at a steady pressure to surrounding buildings.

wa |ter vole (water voles ) N‑COUNT A water vole is a small furry animal that can swim. Water voles live in holes in the banks of rivers. [mainly BRIT ]

water|way /wɔː tə ^r we I / (waterways ) N‑COUNT A waterway is a canal, river, or narrow channel of sea which ships or boats can sail along.