floodgate

noun

flood·​gate ˈfləd-ˌgāt 

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

Have there been any pivotal moments in the past few years that have really opened up the floodgates in terms of productions coming to Oklahoma? — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

Not only that, but now thanks to FIFA’s actions, the floodgates of appeals, sanctioned or not, have flung open. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 7 July 2026

All France needs in that game is one early goal, and the floodgates could open. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026

There's already a healthy number of players online, but the floodgates will open once the game is fully in the wild. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flodgate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for floodgate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

floodgate

noun

flood·​gate ˈfləd-ˌgāt 

: 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