TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
HEAD WATERS [9 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2017-11-03
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Dog and Cat Breeding
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- Labrador retriever
1, record 1, English, Labrador%20retriever
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- Labrador 2, record 1, English, Labrador
correct
- Lab 3, record 1, English, Lab
correct
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The Labrador is a moderate dog, not extreme in any way. It is square or slightly longer than tall, of fairly large bone and substance. Its broad head and strong jaws should enable it to carry the largest game birds... Its heavy body set and strong legs enable it to swim and run powerfully. Its coat, which is short, straight and dense with a soft undercoat, is weatherproof and helps to protect it from icy waters. The Lab is a working retriever... 4, record 1, English, - Labrador%20retriever
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Élevage des chiens et chats
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- retriever du Labrador
1, record 1, French, retriever%20du%20Labrador
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- labrador retriever 2, record 1, French, labrador%20retriever
correct, masculine noun
- labrador 3, record 1, French, labrador
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le labrador est souvent classé parmi les chiens les plus intelligents [...]. D'un caractère doux, affectueux, attentif, il est très proche de ses maîtres et n'aime guère la solitude. Apprécié des chasseurs pour ses qualités de rapporteur de gibier, le labrador est également un chien de compagnie très agréable. 4, record 1, French, - retriever%20du%20Labrador
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2016-03-07
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Fish
Universal entry(ies) Record 2
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- black bullhead
1, record 2, English, black%20bullhead
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- black catfish 2, record 2, English, black%20catfish
correct
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
a small dusky greenish brown to black bullhead(Ameiurus melas) having a flattened head and plump body and being widely distributed chiefly in sluggish waters in much of temperate No. America. 1, record 2, English, - black%20bullhead
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
bullhead: ... any of several North American freshwater catfishes of the genus Ictalurus (Ameiurus of some authorities) and the family Ictaluridae ... 3, record 2, English, - black%20bullhead
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Poissons
Entrée(s) universelle(s) Record 2
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- barbotte noire
1, record 2, French, barbotte%20noire
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Barbotte noire. Ictalurus melas `[...] Cette petite barbotte ne mesure ordinairement que 5 à 7 pouces (127 - 178 mm) de longueur. [...] Corps plutôt massif, trapu, arrondi à l'avant, quelque peu ventru [...] Tête massive, longue [...] 2, record 2, French, - barbotte%20noire
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Coloration. Face dorsale de la tête et du corps, flancs supérieurs allant du brun foncé, à l'olive et au noir [...] Distribution. Cette espèce est limitée aux eaux douces de l'Amérique du Nord. 2, record 2, French, - barbotte%20noire
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Ictalurus melas (Rafinesque) 2, record 2, French, - barbotte%20noire
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2012-04-19
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Hydrology and Hydrography
- Oceanography
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- salt-water wedge
1, record 3, English, salt%2Dwater%20wedge
correct, standardized
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
- saltwater wedge 2, record 3, English, saltwater%20wedge
correct
- salt water wedge 3, record 3, English, salt%20water%20wedge
correct
- saltwedge 4, record 3, English, saltwedge
correct
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The wedge-like intrusion of a large mass of salt water flowing in from the sea under the freshwater in a tidal waterway. [Definition standardized by ISO.] 5, record 3, English, - salt%2Dwater%20wedge
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
One of the most notable characteristics of an estuary is the differing gradients of salinity that are present... These gradients may appear both horizontally and vertically within the water column. Under flood tide conditions the layer of surface water coming into the estuary is moving at a faster rate than the bottom layer. As the tidal waters come in contact with the fresh water moving out of the river, the more dense salt water sinks to the bottom causing the fresh water to rise. The result of this tidal movement is a mixing of the fresh and salt water from the top to the bottom referred to as tidal over-mixing, and a salt water "wedge" being formed. The wedge is narrowest at the head of the river and it broadens out towards the mouth of the river. 6, record 3, English, - salt%2Dwater%20wedge
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
The mixing of fresh water with salt water within the estuary plays an important biological role in the life and development of a great many species of plants and animals. 6, record 3, English, - salt%2Dwater%20wedge
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 OBS
salt-water wedge: term standardized by ISO. 7, record 3, English, - salt%2Dwater%20wedge
Record 3, Key term(s)
- salt wedge
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Hydrologie et hydrographie
- Océanographie
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- coin salé
1, record 3, French, coin%20sal%C3%A9
correct, masculine noun, standardized
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
- coin d'eau salé 2, record 3, French, coin%20d%27eau%20sal%C3%A9
correct, masculine noun
- biseau d'eau salé 3, record 3, French, biseau%20d%27eau%20sal%C3%A9
correct, masculine noun
- biseau salé 2, record 3, French, biseau%20sal%C3%A9
correct, masculine noun
- langue d'eau salée 3, record 3, French, langue%20d%27eau%20sal%C3%A9e
avoid, feminine noun
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Masse importante d'eau salée, en provenance de la mer, pénétrant comme un coin au-dessous de l'eau douce dans une voie d'eau à marée. [Définition normalisée par l'ISO.] 4, record 3, French, - coin%20sal%C3%A9
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
L'hydrodynamisme des estuaires. L'eau salée étant plus dense (plus lourde) que l'eau douce, le courant marin remonte le cours du fleuve en profondeur, sous la couche d'eau douce. On parle de coin salé. 5, record 3, French, - coin%20sal%C3%A9
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
coin salé : terme normalisé par l'ISO. 6, record 3, French, - coin%20sal%C3%A9
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Hidrología e hidrografía
- Oceanografía
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- cuña oceánica
1, record 3, Spanish, cu%C3%B1a%20oce%C3%A1nica
correct, feminine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
- cuña de agua salada 2, record 3, Spanish, cu%C3%B1a%20de%20agua%20salada
feminine noun
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Cuña de agua salada que se mueve bajo una masa de agua dulce. 3, record 3, Spanish, - cu%C3%B1a%20oce%C3%A1nica
Record 4 - internal organization data 2011-01-28
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Sea Operations (Military)
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- coastal defence
1, record 4, English, coastal%20defence
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- maritime coastal defence 2, record 4, English, maritime%20coastal%20defence
correct
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Training for the maritime coastal defence task includes coastal surveillance and patrol, and mine countermeasures activities such as route survey (ocean floor mapping), mechanical minesweeping and seabed object inspections. 3, record 4, English, - coastal%20defence
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Also apparent during 1986 was an increased naval sensitivity to maritime coastal defence (i.e. surface surveillance, shallow water anti-submarine warfare, and mine countermeasures). 4, record 4, English, - coastal%20defence
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 3 CONT
Designed for coastal defence in the shallow waters at the head of the Arabian Gulf, they will be built by Construction Mecaniques de Normandie(CMN) at Cherbourg to the Combattante I design. 1, record 4, English, - coastal%20defence
Record 4, Key term(s)
- coastal defense
- maritime coastal defense
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Opérations en mer (Militaire)
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- défense côtière
1, record 4, French, d%C3%A9fense%20c%C3%B4ti%C3%A8re
correct, feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- défense côtière maritime 2, record 4, French, d%C3%A9fense%20c%C3%B4ti%C3%A8re%20maritime
feminine noun
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
La formation en vue de la défense côtière maritime porte sur la surveillance et la patrouille des côtes et sur les activités anti-mines telles que la cartographie des fonds marins, le dragage mécanique des mines et l'inspection d'objets présents au fond de la mer. 2, record 4, French, - d%C3%A9fense%20c%C3%B4ti%C3%A8re
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Pour remplacer ses patrouilleurs détruits pendant la Guerre du Golfe le Koweït vient de commander à DCN International huit patrouilleurs de 42 m du type Combattante I de défense côtière. 1, record 4, French, - d%C3%A9fense%20c%C3%B4ti%C3%A8re
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2007-11-26
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Hydrology and Hydrography
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- headwater
1, record 5, English, headwater
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- waterhead 2, record 5, English, waterhead
correct, see observation
- head water 3, record 5, English, head%20water
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The source (or sources) and upper part of a stream, especially of a large stream or river, including the upper drainage basin; a stream from this source. 4, record 5, English, - headwater
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The multitudes of beavers on the headwaters of our major streams stabilize stream flow, prevent stream bed erosion, create trout ponds, and improve habitat for many forms of wildlife. 5, record 5, English, - headwater
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
headwater: term usually used in the plural. 3, record 5, English, - headwater
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 OBS
headwater; waterhead: terms used at Natural Resources Canada - Earth Sciences Sector. 6, record 5, English, - headwater
Record 5, Key term(s)
- headwaters
- head waters
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Hydrologie et hydrographie
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- cours supérieur d'une rivière
1, record 5, French, cours%20sup%C3%A9rieur%20d%27une%20rivi%C3%A8re
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- eau d'amont 2, record 5, French, eau%20d%27amont
see observation, feminine noun
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Partie d'amont d'une rivière près de sa source. 3, record 5, French, - cours%20sup%C3%A9rieur%20d%27une%20rivi%C3%A8re
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le Traité relatif aux eaux limitrophes de 1909 a établi des principes, obligations et mécanismes auxquels doivent se conformer le Canada et les États-Unis pour prévenir et régler les différends le long de leur frontière commune. [...] L'article IV établit des exigences [...] en ce qui concerne les ouvrages érigés dans des cours d'eau qui s'écoulent des eaux frontalières ou dans des cours d'eau transfrontaliers, lorsque ces ouvrages ont pour effet d'élever le niveau des eaux d'amont dans l'autre pays. 4, record 5, French, - cours%20sup%C3%A9rieur%20d%27une%20rivi%C3%A8re
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Les nombreux castors qui vivent dans les eaux d'amont de nos principaux cours d'eau en stabilisent le débit, préviennent l'érosion de leur lit, créent des étangs favorables à la truite et améliorent l'habitat de plusieurs espèces d'animaux sauvages. 5, record 5, French, - cours%20sup%C3%A9rieur%20d%27une%20rivi%C3%A8re
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
eau d'amont : terme habituellement utilisé au pluriel. 6, record 5, French, - cours%20sup%C3%A9rieur%20d%27une%20rivi%C3%A8re
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 OBS
eau d'amont : terme en usage à Ressources naturelles Canada - Secteur des sciences de la Terre. 7, record 5, French, - cours%20sup%C3%A9rieur%20d%27une%20rivi%C3%A8re
Record 5, Key term(s)
- eaux d'amont
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Hidrología e hidrografía
Record 5, Main entry term, Spanish
- curso de cabecera
1, record 5, Spanish, curso%20de%20cabecera
masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 5, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
cursos de cabecera: Corrientes de agua que nacen en las fuentes de un río. 1, record 5, Spanish, - curso%20de%20cabecera
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
curso de cabecera: Término utilizado generalmente en el plural. 2, record 5, Spanish, - curso%20de%20cabecera
Record 5, Key term(s)
- cursos de cabecera
Record 6 - internal organization data 2007-10-16
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Hydroelectric Power Stations
- Dams and Causeways
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- headwater
1, record 6, English, headwater
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Water upstream of the retaining works or power plant. 1, record 6, English, - headwater
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
headwater: term usually used in the plural. 2, record 6, English, - headwater
Record 6, Key term(s)
- headwaters
- head water
- head waters
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Centrales hydro-électriques
- Barrages et chaussées
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- eau d'amont
1, record 6, French, eau%20d%27amont
see observation, feminine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Eau se trouvant en amont d'un lieu de retenue. 1, record 6, French, - eau%20d%27amont
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
eau d'amont : terme habituellement utilisé au pluriel. 2, record 6, French, - eau%20d%27amont
Record 6, Key term(s)
- eaux d'amont
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Centrales hidroeléctricas
- Presas y calzadas elevadas
Record 6, Main entry term, Spanish
- agua arriba
1, record 6, Spanish, agua%20arriba
correct, feminine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 6, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Zona agua arriba de la presa o central. 2, record 6, Spanish, - agua%20arriba
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 OBS
agua arriba: término utilizado generalmente en el plural. 3, record 6, Spanish, - agua%20arriba
Record 6, Key term(s)
- aguas arriba
Record 7 - internal organization data 2006-04-12
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Hydrology and Hydrography
- Biogeography
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- headwater lake
1, record 7, English, headwater%20lake
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
- head-water lake 2, record 7, English, head%2Dwater%20lake
- head water lake 3, record 7, English, head%20water%20lake
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A lake at a higher altitude than a river or another lake, and in which its waters flow. 4, record 7, English, - headwater%20lake
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
headwater: The source and upper part of a stream; usually used in the plural. 5, record 7, English, - headwater%20lake
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Distinguish a "headwater lake" whose waters flow into another lake or body of water, from the "head of a lake", the upper portion of a lake, the point where flow in the waters of tributary stream(s) or lake(s). 4, record 7, English, - headwater%20lake
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Hydrologie et hydrographie
- Biogéographie
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- lac tributaire
1, record 7, French, lac%20tributaire
correct, see observation, masculine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
- lac de tête 2, record 7, French, lac%20de%20t%C3%AAte
correct, see observation, masculine noun
- lac d'amont 3, record 7, French, lac%20d%27amont
proposal, see observation, masculine noun
- lac en amont 4, record 7, French, lac%20en%20amont
see observation, masculine noun
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Lac à une altitude supérieure à celle d'une rivière ou d'un autre lac, et dont les eaux se déversent vers le cours d'eau en aval. 5, record 7, French, - lac%20tributaire
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le lac Croche est un lac de tête situé sur le territoire de la Station de Biologie de l'Université de Montréal, à Saint-Hippolyte [...] 2, record 7, French, - lac%20tributaire
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
tributaire : Qui se déverse dans un autre cours d'eau. Le lac qui déverse son eau est un tributaire du lac récepteur. 5, record 7, French, - lac%20tributaire
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 2 OBS
amont (nom, masculin) : Partie plus haute («vers la montagne»), par opposition à «aval», partie plus base («vers la vallée»). 5, record 7, French, - lac%20tributaire
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 3 OBS
d'amont : Du point le plus haut d'un cours d'eau. En amont d'une rivière, d'un fleuve : Plus près de la source, par rapport à un point considéré. 6, record 7, French, - lac%20tributaire
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 4 OBS
Distinguer le «lac de tête», lac tributaire dont les eaux se déversent dans un autre lac ou cours d'eau, et la «tête de lac», le point le plus élevé d'un lac où il reçoit les eaux de lacs ou autres cours d'eau tributaires. 5, record 7, French, - lac%20tributaire
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 5 OBS
Un lac peut être en amont d'un autre sans être nécessairement tributaire de ce lac. 5, record 7, French, - lac%20tributaire
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 2000-08-24
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Grain Growing
- Industrial Crops
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- floating rice
1, record 8, English, floating%20rice
correct
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
In the expansive floodplains of the Niger River in Mali farmers have grown rice for many centuries. This peculiar "African rice", or Oryza glaberrima, evolved here before the arrival of humans. Its make-up includes genetic traits essential for survival. Its stalk grows in pace with the rising water, keeping its panicle(seed head) afloat; it can cope with dehydration stress after the waters recede; and it shatters seed when mature. 2, record 8, English, - floating%20rice
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Culture des céréales
- Culture des plantes industrielles
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- riz flottant
1, record 8, French, riz%20flottant
correct, masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Les terrasses alluviales insubmersibles de la plaine et certaines régions pionnières du Nord et du Nord-Ouest sont le domaine des rizières à alimentation pluviale, où l'eau de pluie est retenue entre des diguettes plantées de palmiers rôniers. Les régions alluviales basses utilisent, en revanche, les eaux de l'inondation annuelle qui sont peu contrôlées : c'est le domaine du riz flottant, dont la tige est capable de s'allonger assez rapidement pour suivre la montée des eaux. Dans quelques secteurs limités, des paysans ont procédé à des endiguements qui permettent de maîtriser la montée et la descente des eaux et donc de remplacer les riz flottants par des riz dressés, plus productifs. 2, record 8, French, - riz%20flottant
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Cultivo de cereales
- Cultivo de plantas industriales
Record 8, Main entry term, Spanish
- arroz flotante
1, record 8, Spanish, arroz%20flotante
masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 8, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 1981-01-26
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Noise Pollution
- Wastewater Treatment
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- industrial operation 1, record 9, English, industrial%20operation
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 CONT
... certain waters can only be filtered at very slow speeds, though by adding a coagulating agent it is possible to achieve much faster speeds and sufficiently large head losses to ensure the easy industrial operation of the plant. 1, record 9, English, - industrial%20operation
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Pollution par le bruit
- Traitement des eaux usées
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- exploitation industrielle
1, record 9, French, exploitation%20industrielle
correct, feminine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[...] certaines eaux ne peuvent être filtrées qu'à des vitesses très lentes, alors qu'avec une légère adjonction de coagulant on peut atteindre de plus fortes vitesses et des pertes de charge suffisamment importantes pour permettre une exploitation industrielle aisée. 1, record 9, French, - exploitation%20industrielle
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


