1
a
: a rising and overflowing of a body of water especially onto normally dry land
The flood inundated the whole area.
also
: a condition of overflowing
rivers in flood
b
capitalized
: a flood described in the Bible as covering the earth in the time of Noah
2
: the flowing in of the tide
3
: an overwhelming quantity or volume
received a flood of phone calls
also
: a state of abundant flow or volume or of greatest activity
—often used in the phrase in full flood
a debate in full flood
a political movement in full flood
4
flooded; flooding; floods
1
: to cover with a flood : inundate
2
a
: to fill abundantly or excessively
flood the market
b
: to supply an excess of fuel to (an engine, a carburetor, etc.) so that engine operation is hampered
flooder
noun
Synonyms
Examples of flood in a Sentence
Noun
A flood inundated the whole area.
the devastating flood of 1936
The water has risen to flood level.
We've received a flood of mail.
a flood of phone calls
Seeing her again brought back a flood of memories.
Verb
Heavy rains flooded the valley.
The rivers are close to flooding.
The valley flooded after the heavy rains.
The plain floods every spring.
The room was flooded with light.
The company plans to flood the market with this product.
The office has been flooded with phone calls.
The phone calls have been flooding in.
Refugees flooded into the camp.
Light flooded into the room.
Recent Examples on the Web
Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2024
Implement further water quality and flood control programs to protect water resources.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2024
As the deadline for flood victims to apply for federal aid arrives Friday, the disaster recovery centers set up in San Diego County are being converted into disaster loan outreach centers.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
For the past dozen years, scientists and others have been focusing on extreme weather such as heat waves, floods, droughts, storms as the having the biggest climate impact.
—Seth Borenstein, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024
Rare rainfall floods Dubai A spate of heavy rain in a normally arid part of the world has left roadways and buildings flooded and several people dead.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024
In Colorado, for example, I-70 was impacted by a combination of fires and floods.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
When permafrost melts, ground can become unstable, causing rockslides, floods and damage to Indigenous communities.
—Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
The river is expected to fall below its flood stage of 6 feet.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Construction of the first phase continues to overcome hurdles like flooding at pump stations and impenetrable boulders at tunnel sites to stay on course for completion by the end of 2027.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Two especially problematic issues for the region are flooding and water quality, especially the presence of bacteria from sewage overflows, and chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024
And Biden is putting China on notice for what the Biden administration calls China's manufacturing overcapacity − producing more products, including steel, than its demand domestically or the world can absorb, flooding global markets at artificially low prices.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
Whatever Taylor’s intentions, Swifties have been quick to flood the internet with theories about a drama so ancient that my Gen-Z workmate, Riann, was initially confused as to why Taylor would take issue with Kim.
—Amel Mukhtar, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2024
Used furniture markets are flooded with old furniture no one wants.
—Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
My eyes flooded with tears — a dark circle in the sky, framed with bright white light.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Ceilings soar to 12 feet; gigantic windows flood the rooms with natural light; and a funky yet liveable floor plan is unlike anything else in New York.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
Noun
During heavy rainfall, there is a risk of flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2024
Implement further water quality and flood control programs to protect water resources.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2024
As the deadline for flood victims to apply for federal aid arrives Friday, the disaster recovery centers set up in San Diego County are being converted into disaster loan outreach centers.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
For the past dozen years, scientists and others have been focusing on extreme weather such as heat waves, floods, droughts, storms as the having the biggest climate impact.
—Seth Borenstein, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024
Rare rainfall floods Dubai A spate of heavy rain in a normally arid part of the world has left roadways and buildings flooded and several people dead.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024
In Colorado, for example, I-70 was impacted by a combination of fires and floods.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
When permafrost melts, ground can become unstable, causing rockslides, floods and damage to Indigenous communities.
—Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
The river is expected to fall below its flood stage of 6 feet.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Verb
More than 230,000 acres of wetlands and seagrasses will be managed to protect water supply, deliver carbon benefits and buffer communities from flooding.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Construction of the first phase continues to overcome hurdles like flooding at pump stations and impenetrable boulders at tunnel sites to stay on course for completion by the end of 2027.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Two especially problematic issues for the region are flooding and water quality, especially the presence of bacteria from sewage overflows, and chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024
And Biden is putting China on notice for what the Biden administration calls China's manufacturing overcapacity − producing more products, including steel, than its demand domestically or the world can absorb, flooding global markets at artificially low prices.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
Whatever Taylor’s intentions, Swifties have been quick to flood the internet with theories about a drama so ancient that my Gen-Z workmate, Riann, was initially confused as to why Taylor would take issue with Kim.
—Amel Mukhtar, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2024
Used furniture markets are flooded with old furniture no one wants.
—Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
My eyes flooded with tears — a dark circle in the sky, framed with bright white light.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Ceilings soar to 12 feet; gigantic windows flood the rooms with natural light; and a funky yet liveable floor plan is unlike anything else in New York.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flood
Cite this Entry
“Flood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flood. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flood
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a great flow of water that rises and spreads over the land
b
capitalized
: a flood described in the Bible as covering the earth in the time of Noah
2
: the flowing in of the tide
3
: an overwhelming quantity or volume
a flood of mail
flood
2 of 2 verb1
: to cover or become filled with a flood
2
: to fill as if with a flood
a room flooded with light
flood a carburetor
3
: to pour forth, go, or come in a flood
Medical Definition
flood
intransitive verb
: to have an excessive menstrual flow or a uterine hemorrhage after childbirth
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