spate

noun

ˈspāt 

1

a

: a large number or amount

a spate of books

b

: a sudden or strong outburst : rush

a spate of anger

2

: freshet, flood

Synonyms of spate

• flood
• torrent

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

Today, the challenges facing the continent include a humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, a spate of kidnappings and killings in Nigeria, and conflict between rebels and government forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. — Goodluck Ajeh, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026

The ministry had earlier scrambled two Romanian F-16s and two Spanish F-18s to monitor its airspace in two separate locations after a spate of drones were detected in Ukraine near the border. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

The apparent spate of slayings has sparked a broader conversation about violence against women in the country. — Rael Ombuor, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2026

In July, a fragile 2022 truce between the Houthis and the government fell apart after the group welcomed an Iranian plane to Sanaa in defiance of Riyadh's control over Yemeni airspace, setting off a spate of attacks. — Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing spate

• in spate

Rhymes for spate

• ate
• bait
• bate
• cate
• crate
• date
• eight
• fait
• fate
• fete
• frate
• freight

Kids Definition

spate

noun

ˈspāt 

: a sudden flood or rush