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
Maybe that score will open the floodgates.
—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
27 June 2026
In his car, Lestat is no longer able to repress his memories after having opened the floodgates.
—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
The floodgates for super PAC spending were thus opened and corporations and the super wealthy came marching in.
—
Richard J. Davis,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
The floodgates have, now, opened.
—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
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Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
27 June 2026
In his car, Lestat is no longer able to repress his memories after having opened the floodgates.
—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
The floodgates for super PAC spending were thus opened and corporations and the super wealthy came marching in.
—
Richard J. Davis,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
The floodgates have, now, opened.
—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
Cite this Entry
“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
floodgate
noun
flood·gate
ˈfləd-ˌgāt
: a gate (as in a canal) for controlling a body of water : sluice
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