floodplain

noun

flood·​plain ˈfləd-ˌplān How to pronounce floodplain (audio)
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 During the four-year project, the tribe will remove invasive species and replant 45,000 native trees, like cottonwood, willow and mesquite to restore 390 acres of the river's historic floodplain close to the U.S.-Mexico border. The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024 Barramundi and mangrove jack are both commercially important and have a lifecycle that involves the fish migrating to and from the reef, across tidal floodplains to freshwater rivers. Bianca Nogrady, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024 And healthy floodplain forests can also slow flooding. Journal Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2024 At Puku Ridge in Zambia, an artful assemblage of timber respects the natural flows of the area’s floodplain. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2024 The refuge protects more than 240,000 acres of Mississippi River floodplain. Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 Dos Rios Ranch was 2,000 acres of marginal farmland that has been transformed into a spectacular floodplain that nourishes salmon, feeds native birds and plants and replenishes our groundwater. Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2024 Factors driving the risks include changing precipitation patterns, aging infrastructure and development that has expanded in low-lying areas, including in natural floodplains along rivers and creeks. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024 More:The Mississippi River's floodplain forests are dying. Journal Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'floodplain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of floodplain was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near floodplain

Cite this Entry

“Floodplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodplain. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

floodplain

noun
flood·​plain -ˌplān How to pronounce floodplain (audio)
1
: low flat land along a stream or river that may flood
2
: a plain built up from earth left by floodwaters

More from Merriam-Webster on floodplain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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