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
The Stars shutout the Canucks in Game 5 and 6 before the floodgates opened in Game 7.
—
Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 29 May 2025
But after a poor first period, the floodgates opened for Florida in the second period.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Now, Scheffler is brimming with confidence and the floodgates may have opened.
—Troy Finnegan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
But some Democrats have begun acknowledging Biden’s alleged cognitive decline now that the floodgates have opened on the reporting.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
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Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 29 May 2025
But after a poor first period, the floodgates opened for Florida in the second period.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Now, Scheffler is brimming with confidence and the floodgates may have opened.
—Troy Finnegan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
But some Democrats have begun acknowledging Biden’s alleged cognitive decline now that the floodgates have opened on the reporting.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
Cite this Entry
“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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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