spate

noun

1
2
a
: a large number or amount
a spate of books on gardening
b
: a sudden or strong outburst : rush
a spate of anger

Examples of spate in a Sentence

A spate of books on the subject have come out recently. There was a spate of corporate mergers in the 1980s.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But as the region enjoys a recent surge in popularity, it’s welcomed a spate of new projects that continue to add to its vast tourism landscape. Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025 This caveat is reflected in the spate of mass layoffs that large tech companies have conducted over the past couple of months. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025 The Anaheim park experienced a spate of three fatal falls from parking garages in less than a year between 2022 and 2023. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025 Disney has seen a spate of deaths at its properties this month. Theresa Braine, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spate

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spate was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spate. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

spate

noun
: a sudden flood or rush

More from Merriam-Webster on spate

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