Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Catchment
noun
/ KACH-ment /
Easy
Meaning
The geographic area from which a facility, service, or resource draws its users, customers, or water supply
Origin / Etymology
English catch + -ment; originally a geographical term for the area draining into a river or reservoir
Synonyms
Service area
Drainage basin
Hinterland
Antonyms
Outflow area
Example Sentence
"The Noida International Airport will serve a catchment area of over 200 million people across western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan."
🎯 UPSC Usage
Use in GS-1 (Geography) for drainage basin and watershed contexts, and in GS-3 for infrastructure planning. Versatile term applicable to both physical geography and urban planning.
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