catchment area

Noun

catchment area (plural catchment areas)

1. An area from which water drains into a particular lake, river, etc.; the catchment area of a large river includes its tributaries.

   Synonyms:

   catchment basin, drainage basin

2. (broadly) The area served by a local institution, such as a hospital or school, or by extension, a railway station.
   • As well as the new station, the funding will allow the building of the Chelmsford North East bypass, enhancing access to and the catchment area of the station.2019 October, “Funding for 20tph East London Line service”, in Modern Railways, page 18
   • Wealthy parents buying into preferred catchment areas is nothing new and for years families have been moving to Kent for the grammar schools.2023 October 14, Alexandra Goss, “The school run”, in FT Weekend (House & Home section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 1