1. : a cistern located at the point where a street gutter discharges into a sewer and designed to catch and retain matter that would not pass readily through the sewer
2. : a reservoir or well into which surface water may drain off
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a receptacle, located where a street gutter opens into a sewer, designed to retain matter that would not readily pass through the sewer.
[1870-75]
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catch basin,
1. a receptacle placed beneath the grating or other opening of a sewer to retain matter that might block up the sewer.
2. a reservoir for catching and retaining surface drainage over large areas: »
Chemical sprays…had to be used with restraint, because of the danger of contaminating the catch basins Bermuda relies on for its drinking water (New Yorker).
Useful english dictionary. 2012.