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
Although one study found that some areas are finally beginning to curb floodplain development, people keep building in perilous places.
—
Tik Root, Wired News, 26 July 2025
Like many other towns at risk, most of Nogales was built on a floodplain because that was the flattest spot, Sanchez said.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
Subdivisions and housing developments have sprouted up, and more homes and businesses have been built in the floodplain.
—John Seabrook, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Texas state Representative Don McLaughlin, a Republican, has already introduced legislation requiring the state's top public health official to set building standards for youth camps in 100-year floodplains.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for floodplain
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Tik Root, Wired News, 26 July 2025
Like many other towns at risk, most of Nogales was built on a floodplain because that was the flattest spot, Sanchez said.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
Subdivisions and housing developments have sprouted up, and more homes and businesses have been built in the floodplain.
—John Seabrook, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Texas state Representative Don McLaughlin, a Republican, has already introduced legislation requiring the state's top public health official to set building standards for youth camps in 100-year floodplains.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for floodplain
Cite this Entry
“Floodplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodplain. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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