A watershed is an area that collects, stores and releases water. This is a simple definition for the complex ways in which these functions are accomplished. The most important thing to remember is that the collection and storage of water is every bit as important as the release or "shedding" of water from the land. Many countries use the term "water catchment" to describe areas that catch or collect water. The term watershed implies that moving water off the land is the primary function. Because of this mindset, most watershed definitions describe an area of land that drains water to a common point, be it a stream, river or the ocean.