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.
In the last decade, a spate of pop culture examining how the media mistreated famous women in the 1990s and 2000s has recontextualized their stories. Scarlett Harris, Time, 9 Oct. 2025 At the end of the last episode, Roddy was scooped up by Regent’s Park for his connection to the spate of terrorist activities around the city, while Flyte and a team of other agents are keeping the rest of the Slough House gang under lockdown. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025 Uptown district development The Tepper proposal is just the latest in a spate of development in and around uptown Charlotte. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025 These sorts of laws have also led to a spate of horrifying examples of mob violence based on blasphemy accusations, targeting Muslims, Christians, and others, even as recently as a month ago. Sean Nelson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 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

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Cite this Entry

“Spate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

spate

noun
: a sudden flood or rush

More from Merriam-Webster on spate

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