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

Matt Boldy scored the go-ahead goal on a textbook deflection of Minnesota Wild teammate Brock Faber’s shot late in the second, then the floodgates opened early in the third. —Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

The Red Wings ambushed the Seattle Kraken in an afternoon game at Little Caesars Arena, scoring their first goal just 3:22 into the game on a Marco Kasper redirection, and from there the floodgates were open. —Max Bultman, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025

Lo, the floodgates had opened, proven by the seemingly endless supply of It-girls to carry out her vision. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024

After the floodgates opened (and permission was probably given to post), Aric Jones posted a carousel including a photo of Kelce giving a speech. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flodgate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for floodgate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

floodgate

noun

flood·​gate ˈfləd-ˌgāt 

: a gate (as in a canal) for controlling a body of water : sluice

Legal Definition

floodgate

noun

flood·​gate

: something serving to restrain an outburst (as of litigation)

—usually used in pl.

a decision that will open the floodgates for other claims