floodplain

flood·plain | \ ˈfləd-ˌplān

How to pronounce floodplain (audio)

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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 Missing from the narrative, Ackerman said, are what the dams and the Corps of Engineers have done to the floodplain. — Kevin Spear, orlandosentinel.com, "Crippled Apalachicola River leaves wetland forests in peril, famous oysters extinct | Part 2 of Special Series," 10 Dec. 2020 The structures are on a 12-acre parcel, of which 75 percent is in a floodplain, near the westbound lanes of Loop 1604. — Scott Huddleston, ExpressNews.com, "Ties to historic Guilbeau family may save ranch buildings on San Antonio’s Northwest Side," 21 Dec. 2020 Bozo left the beach and plunged into the willows at the edge of the floodplain. — Jerome B. Robinson, Field & Stream, "FS Classics: Tobacco on the Water," 17 Dec. 2020 The blazes have consumed about 28% of the vast floodplain that stretches across parts of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. — Shasta Darlington, CNN, "Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon surges to 12-year high," 1 Dec. 2020 The pit, about 40 acres, would be dug next to the White River and in the floodplain. — John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, "Noblesville planning staff delivers blow to gravel pit plan near Potters Bridge Park," 12 Nov. 2020 The problem, researchers say, is that Federal Emergency Management Agency floodplain maps are sometimes based on decades-old data, whereas global warming and urbanization have changed rainfall and drainage patterns. — London Gibson, The Indianapolis Star, "113,000 more properties may be at risk of flooding in Indiana than previously thought, report says," 18 Aug. 2020 In Florida, First Street projects Jacksonville will see 19,000 properties added to the floodplain. — USA Today, "Millions of Americans think they’re safe from flood waters. They aren’t.," 29 June 2020 The blazes have already consumed about 28% of the vast floodplain that stretches across parts of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN, "The world's largest wetlands are on fire. That's a disaster for all of us," 13 Nov. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

19 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Floodplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodplain. Accessed 25 Jan. 2021.

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