spate

noun

ˈspāt 

1

: freshet, flood

2

a

: a large number or amount

a spate of books

b

: a sudden or strong outburst : rush

a spate of anger

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

In addition to the uptick in young victims, Denver also saw a spate of violence along a stretch of East Hampden Avenue on the far southeast side of the city near the Cherry Creek Reservoir. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 20 July 2026

The shootings in Maine and Texas were just the latest civilian deaths at the hands of ICE agents, who have attempted to intimidate witnesses following its recent spate of high-profile killings. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 19 July 2026

Florida has executed the oldest prisoner in its history, the latest in a spate of capital punishments against elderly death-row inmates. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 16 July 2026

In 2023, Bonta’s office launched a civil rights investigation into the sheriff’s office after a spate of jail deaths and reports of excessive force by officers. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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