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

Old channels linger as soft depressions across the floodplain, now filled with bog vegetation in muted shades of yellow, green, and brown—living traces of flowing water long since gone. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Protecting wetlands, floodplains and mature tree canopy is not simply about appearance. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

At the time, the flood maps showed that the land the park sat on was at risk but didn’t have his home in the 100-year floodplain, which would have required expensive elevation. — Ren Larson, ProPublica, 28 Sep. 2026

Rentner’s group focuses on restoring pieces of the natural floodplains to absorb water again. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 26 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