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
When Sumit determined that Viraj could type with his right thumb, giving Viraj a way to communicate, the floodgates opened.
—
July 11, CBS News, 11 July 2025
The floodgates opened in the bottom of the sixth inning as Brooks Lee belted a solo home run, Byron Buxton doubled in a run, and Kody Clemens scored on an error to make it 5-0.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
Renato Sanches added a third from the bench as the floodgates opened.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Then, the floodgates opened as Walpole took over in the second half.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
July 11, CBS News, 11 July 2025
The floodgates opened in the bottom of the sixth inning as Brooks Lee belted a solo home run, Byron Buxton doubled in a run, and Kody Clemens scored on an error to make it 5-0.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
Renato Sanches added a third from the bench as the floodgates opened.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Then, the floodgates opened as Walpole took over in the second half.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
Cite this Entry
“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
floodgate
noun
flood·gate
ˈfləd-ˌgāt
: a gate (as in a canal) for controlling a body of water : sluice
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share