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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Synonyms & Antonyms for flood

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Noun

drought
(also drouth)

Antonyms: Verb

drain

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 event brought back a flood of memories, reminding Hing why flying had sparked her obsessive interest back in her youth. — oregonlive, "Two daring Chinese American women took to Portland’s skies to escape earthbound 20th-century limits, secured lasting legacies," 5 Apr. 2021 But the interview led to a flood of sexist and racist death threats. — New York Times, "An Outspoken Student Union Positions Itself at the Vanguard of a Changing France," 4 Apr. 2021 Her mother's home is modest, but more stable, and when Franco's home was destroyed in a flood, Chavez's contributions helped her rebuild. — Amy Taxin, Star Tribune, "Immigrants with temporary status have grown deep roots in US," 2 Apr. 2021 The shooting led to demonstrations in Philadelphia last year after a flood of attention to officers using violence against Black people. — Mallika Kallingal And Brynn Gingras, CNN, "The family of a Philadelphia man is suing two police officers who fatally shot him last year," 2 Apr. 2021 The track opens with sustained notes on a synthesizer, a gentle flood of melody. — Elias Leight, Rolling Stone, "Gallant Floats Through Heartbreak on ‘Scars’," 31 Mar. 2021 State officials are bracing for a flood of new registrations. — Eliza Fawcett, courant.com, "Connecticut is expecting a flood of new registrations as residents 16 and older can get the COVID-19 vaccine starting Thursday. Here’s what you need to know.," 30 Mar. 2021 But other officials say that with a flood of doses on the way, the more pressing concern is persuading as many people as possible to get the shots so the nation can reach herd immunity as soon as possible. — Amina Khan Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Coronavirus Today: How long is our honeymoon?," 30 Mar. 2021 Across the country, Republicans have introduced a flood of legislation to restrict voting access after President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in November. — CBS News, "Kentucky lawmakers send bipartisan election bill to governor," 30 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb As many as 300 million gallons of wastewater is threatening to breach the reservoir and flood the surrounding area. — Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, "Florida prison evacuated amid concerns of 'catastrophic flooding' after reservoir leak discovered," 5 Apr. 2021 The Manatee County Central Jail is at the corner of an evacuation zone surrounding the old Piney Point phosphate mine, where about 300 million gallons of wastewater is threatening to breach a reservoir there and flood the surrounding area. — David Aaro, Fox News, "Florida sheriff evacuates hundreds of inmates amid potential plant collapse," 5 Apr. 2021 Sugiura pointed to the World Baseball Classic, where fans flood parks to cheer on teams from around the globe. — Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Padres’ Darvish, Kim anchor potential ‘Pacific Rim push’," 4 Apr. 2021 Be aware that the trail will flood in certain places when the river is high. — Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida Fresh Air: Little Big Econ State Forest is a place for hikers, nature lovers," 2 Apr. 2021 And while the water has started to recede in some areas, many already inundated rivers and creeks could flood again give the extra rainfall predicted. — Hollie Silverman, CNN, "Central Tennessee braces for more weather misery after weekend flooding killed 7 people and caused widespread damage," 30 Mar. 2021 Mills College students and alumnae, still staggered by the news that the 169-year-old women’s school in Oakland will soon stop enrolling students, learned Thursday that 200 UC Berkeley freshmen will flood their campus next fall. — Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, "New Mills College surprise: 200 UC Berkeley freshmen will live there next year," 25 Mar. 2021 The room also has a 16-foot island with seating and a stunning custom brass-and-glass cabinet for dishware, built right up against an oversized window that lets light flood the space. — Janice O'leary, Robb Report, "Inside a Storied $28.5 Million Hamptons Mansion Listed by a Media Power Couple," 24 Mar. 2021 Their hope is to spread the word widely enough that locals know where to go — but not so widely that residents from other parts of Los Angeles County flood the clinics and snap up scarce appointments. — Maya Lau, Los Angeles Times, "The epic outreach to get the most vulnerable vaccinated in L.A. County," 22 Mar. 2021

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.