floodplain

noun

flood·​plain ˈfləd-ˌplān How to pronounce floodplain (audio)
1
: level land that may be submerged by floodwaters
2
: a plain built up by stream deposition

Examples of floodplain in a Sentence

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.
Millions of people live in at-risk mountainous areas or near fertile floodplains. Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025 Growing populations mean even more people are at risk Sources: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) Over recent decades, most coastal and floodplain areas in the Mediterranean region have also become densely urbanized, leaving little space for waterways. Samuel Granados, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025 His thoughts rushed to the low-income communities in the floodplains along the river’s banks and to friends like Cindy and Dennis. Mackenzie Happe and Zoë Todd, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024 Its unique floodplain ecosystem is best explored by canoe or kayak. Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for floodplain 

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of floodplain was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near floodplain

Cite this Entry

“Floodplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodplain. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

floodplain

noun
flood·​plain -ˌplān How to pronounce floodplain (audio)
1
: low flat land along a stream or river that may flood
2
: a plain built up from earth left by floodwaters

More from Merriam-Webster on floodplain

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