floodgate
noun
flood·gate
ˈfləd-ˌgāt 
1
: a gate for shutting out, admitting, or releasing a body of water : sluice
2
: something serving to restrain an outburst
opened the floodgates of criticism
Examples of floodgate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As far as the floodgates that Welcome Mat opened up as far as human me, girl me, is different now.
—
Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2024
The war in Ukraine cannot end on Kyiv’s terms if Russia remains an open floodgate for Chinese supplies, and Europe cannot remain prosperous if China has almost free rein to hollow out Europe’s industrial economy.
—Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2024
However the floodgates then opened and the second half saw the hosts run away with a victory that should settle the nerves going into the next set of games.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris, a proponent of utopian policies, is being challenged by former President Donald Trump, who promises to close the floodgates on progressive policies.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for floodgate 
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Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2024
The war in Ukraine cannot end on Kyiv’s terms if Russia remains an open floodgate for Chinese supplies, and Europe cannot remain prosperous if China has almost free rein to hollow out Europe’s industrial economy.
—Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2024
However the floodgates then opened and the second half saw the hosts run away with a victory that should settle the nerves going into the next set of games.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris, a proponent of utopian policies, is being challenged by former President Donald Trump, who promises to close the floodgates on progressive policies.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for floodgate
Dictionary Entries Near floodgate
Cite this Entry
“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
floodgate
noun
flood·gate
ˈfləd-ˌgāt
: a gate (as in a canal) for controlling a body of water : sluice
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