flood

noun

\ ˈfləd

Definition of flood

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a rising and overflowing of a body of water especially onto normally dry land The flood inundated the whole area. also : a condition of overflowing rivers in flood

b capitalized : a flood described in the Bible as covering the earth in the time of Noah

2 : the flowing in of the tide

3 : an overwhelming quantity or volume received a flood of phone calls also : a state of abundant flow or volume or of greatest activity —often used in the phrase in full flood a debate in full flood a political movement in full flood

4 : floodlight

flood

verb

flooded; flooding; floods

Definition of flood (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to cover with a flood : inundate

2a : to fill abundantly or excessively flood the market

b : to supply an excess of fuel to (an engine, a carburetor, etc.) so that engine operation is hampered

intransitive verb

1 : to pour forth, go, or come in a flood

2 : to become filled with a flood

Other Words from flood Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about flood

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Examples of flood in a Sentence

Noun

A flood inundated the whole area. the devastating flood of 1936 The water has risen to flood level. We've received a flood of mail. a flood of phone calls Seeing her again brought back a flood of memories.

Verb

Heavy rains flooded the valley. The rivers are close to flooding. The valley flooded after the heavy rains. The plain floods every spring. The room was flooded with light. The company plans to flood the market with this product. The office has been flooded with phone calls. The phone calls have been flooding in. Refugees flooded into the camp. Light flooded into the room.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The decision-making process has taken longer as the agency has sorted through a flood of requests for awards and tips on potential corporate wrongdoing. — Kristin Broughton, WSJ, "Whistleblower Challenges SEC Over Delay on Award Decision," 30 Apr. 2019 Photos of Margaret and Roddy on a romantic holiday on the island of Mustique are what prompted a flood of coverage. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Who Was Princess Margaret's Much-Younger Boyfriend Roddy Llewellyn?," 18 Feb. 2019 If tariffs curtail bourbon consumption in those markets abroad, the industry could be left with some sobering consequences — a flood of whiskey to sell by trying to boost sales in the U.S. and in countries unaffected by trade disputes. — Bruce Schreiner, Fox News, "Kentucky bourbon inventory at highest level since 1972," 27 Sep. 2018 Former Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett said vigilance during the region’s recovery after historic floods in 2008 is among Loebsack’s most lasting legacies. — Scott Mcfetridge, The Seattle Times, "7-term Iowa Democrat Rep. Loebsack won’t seek re-election," 12 Apr. 2019 But with lab-grown diamonds beginning to flood the market, the conditions involved in each stone’s creation story have become a hot topic, resulting in a controversy that currently divides the fine jewelry world. — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, "7 Ways Engagement Ring-Buying Is Changing," 12 Apr. 2019 For more information on Ellicott City Partnership’s flood relief efforts, visit visitoldellicottcity.com. — Brittany Britto, baltimoresun.com, "Sagamore Spirit to donate all proceeds of limited edition whiskey to Ellicott City flood relief, rebuilding efforts," 10 July 2018 In Beaufort County, more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) east of Raleigh, emergency management officials will use school system buses on Wednesday to move residents living in flood-prone areas to higher ground in Washington, the county seat. — Emery P. Dalesio, The Seattle Times, "Florence poses a new threat for rural, struggling towns," 11 Sep. 2018 One key objection had been use of the least flood-prone acreage on the east side of the former golf course for golf practice amenities. — Karen Berkowitz, chicagotribune.com, "New pitch for golf practice facility at Highland Park Country Club gets cool reception," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Parts of Texas and the Mississippi Valley should prepare for flooding as T-storms roll in Friday night, Accuweather warns, but the clouds should clear out by Sunday. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "The Weather Forecast for Mother's Day Weekend Isn't Looking Good," 10 May 2019 Sunday’s conditions were far from ideal, as a constant rainstorm pelted riders and flooded FDR drive, requiring cyclists to coast through lakes that threatened to pull them under. — Andrew Moseman, Popular Mechanics, "E-Biking My Way Through New York's Five Boro Bike Tour," 9 May 2019 Women are flooding Port's social media channels with support and their own stories about mom-bullying. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Whitney Port Shared an Emotional Video About Mom-Bullying That’s Got Many Women Talking," 29 Mar. 2019 More than 8 million tourists flooded the South Korean capital last tax season alone, likely excited for the endlessly instagrammable potential of the modern city. — Sara Rodrigues, House Beautiful, "The 10 Best Vacations You Can Take With Your Tax Refund," 18 Mar. 2019 Streaming services really have flooded the comedy market with specials recently. — Nick Vadala, Philly.com, "Comedian Ron Funches just lost 140 pounds. He's still going to eat a cheesesteak when he's in Philly," 10 July 2018 Deep, hot color flooded my cheeks, and my voice caught in my throat. — Michelle Weber, Longreads, "The Path to Healing is Lined with Small Bursts of Sweetness," 10 July 2018 Among them: Other inmates smearing feces in common areas and flooding their cells, requiring cleanup crews to dump hazardous waste down the drain of the only shower available to him. — Diana Dombrowski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Ex-cop sues Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office alleging inhumane conditions in jail," 7 July 2018 Previously, those detained were often deported immediately, but not subject to charges. The crackdown has already flooded courtrooms across the U.S.-Mexico border, which are now witness to previously rare mass trials of undocumented immigrants. — Benjamin Hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Report: Prosecutors Warned Sessions That ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy Would Dim Focus on Drug-Smuggling," 23 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flood.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.