floodgate

noun

flood·​gate ˈfləd-ˌgāt How to pronounce floodgate (audio)
1
: a gate for shutting out, admitting, or releasing a body of water : sluice
2
: something serving to restrain an outburst
opened the floodgates of criticism

Examples of floodgate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web If the political rifts grow and Gantz quits the government, the floodgates will open to broader protests by a public that was already unhappy with the government when Hamas struck, said Reuven Hazan, a professor of political science at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Tia Goldenberg, arkansasonline.com, 4 Mar. 2024 The floodgates will open in November for nearly five million college applications. Dan Lichterman, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2023 There was a lot of speculation that after the strikes, the marketplace would open up again and the floodgates would open with dealmaking. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024 Design of the floodgates and pump station are the last pieces needed for the operational functions of the channel, according to an agency press release. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Feb. 2024 Overdue canal rehabilitation Another irrigation district will use the money to replace a 120-year-old floodgate, among other things. The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024 As the Carver-Hawkeye Arena crowd roared, Clark made a second consecutive shot beyond the arc, and the floodgates opened. Chloe Peterson, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Jan. 2024 Even just knowing that the floodgates have been opened is enough to make everyone question every piece of content, and therefore, reality. Bysage Lazzaro, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2023 In the business district, Frasers Property’s 38-story tower has added floodgates. TIME, 10 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'floodgate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flodgate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of floodgate was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near floodgate

Cite this Entry

“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

floodgate

noun
flood·​gate ˈfləd-ˌgāt How to pronounce floodgate (audio)
: a gate (as in a canal) for controlling a body of water : sluice

Legal Definition

floodgate

noun
flood·​gate
: something serving to restrain an outburst (as of litigation)
usually used in pl.
a decision that will open the floodgates for other claims

More from Merriam-Webster on floodgate

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