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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hood takes Littlejohn’s massive hand and the floodgates open, the big man crying fat tears that roll down his face to the gurney below. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025 But by 2023, the floodgates really opened up and answered some of those questions. Nick Romano, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Former Jet Brandin Echols adds depth to secondary Date: March 12 Impact (out of five): 3 Analysis: The Steelers added versatility and depth to their secondary as the floodgates opened on free agency Wednesday, agreeing to terms with former Jets defensive back Brandin Echols, per multiple reports. Mike Defabo, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 Nevertheless, the floodgates of the potential of AI have opened and will continue to build u,p making CRM usage more effective. Gaurav Aggarwal, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for floodgate

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

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Cite this Entry

“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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

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