floodplain

noun

flood·plain | \ ˈfləd-ˌplān

Definition of floodplain

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

These steep-sided, straitjacketed streams lost the ability to spill onto their floodplains and recharge aquifers. — Ben Goldfarb, Science | AAAS, "Beaver dams without beavers? Artificial logjams are a popular but controversial restoration tool," 7 June 2018 Restoration work, which was funded in part by a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, included improving the channel pattern, constructing riffles and additional floodplain, bank stabilization structures and native plantings. — Sheila Vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "More than coffee found at Milford's The Main Cup," 2 May 2018 After Hurricane Floyd in 1999 caused widespread flooding and devastated many farms, killing animals and causing waste to leak into waterways, the state started a program to buy up farms on floodplains. — Kris Maher, WSJ, "Hog Farmers in Florence’s Path Working Overtime to Prepare," 12 Sep. 2018 State taxpayers ended up buying out and closing 43 farms located in floodplains. — Michael Biesecker, Fox News, "Hurricane could flood many waste sites, creating toxic brew," 12 Sep. 2018 These bayous, which affect what areas are considered part of the floodplains, were hurt by two other events: the Tax Day 2016 flood and the Memorial Day 2015 flood, both of which reached what are called 500-year-storm levels. — Nancy Keates, WSJ, "How Harvey Transformed House-Hunting in Houston," 24 Oct. 2018 After the storm, the state bought out 43 hog farms, including over 100 lagoons in floodplains, said a spokeswoman with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. — Kris Maher, WSJ, "Hog Farmers in Florence’s Path Working Overtime to Prepare," 12 Sep. 2018 State taxpayers ended up buying out and closing 43 farms located in floodplains. — Michael Biesecker, Fox News, "Hurricane could flood many waste sites, creating toxic brew," 12 Sep. 2018 State taxpayers ended up buying out and closing 43 farms located in floodplains. — Michael Biesecker, The Seattle Times, "Hurricane could flood many waste sites, creating toxic brew," 11 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'floodplain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.