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

El Adli said the area that crews were digging in is located on what is potentially an ancient floodplain. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

For comparison, the researchers also analyzed five teeth of crocodilians that shared the same rivers and floodplains. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 20 Sep. 2026

At Dos Rios State Park near Modesto, where the Tuolumne meets the San Joaquin, River Partners spent a decade turning farmland back into floodplain. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026

The funding also includes more than $235,784 through FEMA’s Community Assistance Program – State Support Services Element to fund floodplain management practices. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 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