Continental Divide

The hydrographic line extending from Alaska to Mexico that divides the parts of North America whose waters drain to the Pacific Ocean from those parts that drain to the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The portion of it running along the crest of the Rocky Mountains is often called the Great Divide.

continental divide

An extensive stretch of high ground from each side of which the river systems of a continent flow in opposite directions.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

continental divide

(Physical Geography) the watershed of a continent, esp (often caps.) the principal watershed of North America, formed by the Rocky Mountains

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

continen′tal divide′

1. a divide separating river systems that flow to opposite sides of a continent.

2. (caps.) Also called Great Divide. the watershed in North America formed by the Rocky Mountains, separating streams flowing west from those flowing east.

[1865–70]

con·ti·nen·tal divide

(kŏn′tə-nĕn′tl)

A region of high ground, from each side of which the river systems of a continent flow in opposite directions. ♦ In North America, the Continental Divide is a series of mountain ridges stretching from Alaska to Mexico.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

continental divide - the watershed of a continent (especially the watershed of North America formed by a series of mountain ridges extending from Alaska to Mexico)

water parting, watershed, divide - a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems

Great Divide - that part of the continental divide formed by the Rocky Mountains in the United States

North America - a continent (the third largest) in the western hemisphere connected to South America by the Isthmus of Panama

Translations

divisoria continental

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Continuing south on the Continental Divide, raging forest fires seen in the distance indicated driving conditions too dangerous to follow the immediate planned route.

Digital images on display

Editorial Note: Heather Anderson is the second woman to complete the "Double Triple Crown of Backpacking," completing the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide National Scenic Trails twice each.

Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home

Critique: An engaging, entertaining, and ultimately inspired and inspiring read from cover to cover, "The Spirit of the Trail: A Journey to Fulfillment Along the Continental Divide" is an extraordinary adventure that is particularly recommended for the personal reading lists of bicycling enthusiasts and armchair travelers.

The Spirit of the Trail

Continental Divide: A History of American Mountaineering tells of a history that began in 1642, with a man who became the first American mountaineer to scale Mount Washington--and who was labeled insane for his effort.

Continental Divide: A History of American Mountaineering

In an effort to bridge this continental divide, Movement Research, the center for experimental performance in New York, continues its International Dance Dialogues this fall.

Rare sightings

While crossing the Continental Divide, Henry and crew are even run off their "roadway" by a train coming straight at them.

Blackwood, Gary. Around the World in 100 Days

-- A bylaws amendment to extend the boundaries of the Eastern Section of the American Society for Enology & Viticulture westward to the Continental Divide was approved at the society's 35th annual conference held from July 12 to 15 at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

'Eastern' wine society extends to Rockies

Subsequent research has amply confirmed Hajnal's continental divide. The Western European pattern restricted fertility, especially when it was coupled with very low levels of childbirth out of wedlock.

The Hajnal line: dividing Europe by nuptiality behaviour

Daniel Huey took this beauty along the Continental Divide near Aspen, Colorado.

Top shots