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

Millions of people across the floodplains of the Indian subcontinent depend on the water that flows downstream. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Among the habitats Steinbach filmed are tidal floodplain forests, a landscape type that has largely disappeared in Europe. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026

Floods this summer affected many residents who do not live in floodplains, where flood insurance is not required, said Felipe Rocha, a lifelong Aurora resident and local insurance agent. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026

The result has been that many properties affected by disasters are turning up outside FEMA's floodplains. — Laura Sullivan, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for floodplain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids 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