Meaning
A tank, drum, or built cistern that catches and stores rainwater running off the roof, for household use in areas without reliable piped water. Guttering channels the rain into the catchment, saving it for washing, cooking, and drinking through dry spells. A vital feature of many rural and hillside Jamaican homes.
Examples
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Di catchment full up after di heavy rain.
The rainwater tank filled up after the heavy rain.
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Wi depend pon di catchment inna dry weather.
We depend on the rainwater tank in the dry season.
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Di gutter run di rain into di catchment.
The guttering runs the rain into the tank.
Origin
From 'catch' + '-ment'; a rainwater-catching tank/cistern. See [[standpipe]], [[dry-weather]].
How it’s used
A rainwater-storage tank/cistern for household use. See [[standpipe]], [[dry-weather]].