floodplain

noun

flood·​plain ˈfləd-ˌplān 

1

: level land that may be submerged by floodwaters

2

: a plain built up by stream deposition

Examples of floodplain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of the world’s longest railway bridges are not dramatic river crossings but rather vast viaducts spanning floodplains, wetlands, farmland, and densely populated regions to provide stable routes for high-speed trains. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Dozens of other residents and campers were rescued after the Black River, which flows through the area, reached a record-breaking high level, The New York Times reported, citing a Reynolds County floodplain administrator. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026

Everyone believes in the flood, but nobody believes their house is in the floodplain. — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

To build on the beach is to navigate a complex set of guidelines, among them height restrictions, strict size limits, and floodplain codes. — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for floodplain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

floodplain

noun

flood·​plain -ˌplān 

1

: low flat land along a stream or river that may flood

2

: a plain built up from earth left by floodwaters