floodgate

noun

flood·​gate ˈfləd-ˌgāt How to pronounce floodgate (audio)
Synonyms of floodgatenext
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
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.
In the aftermath of Sophie Cuningham making a definitive stance that women’s sports should remain female, many coaches and players have opened up the floodgates for men in their league. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 When the health and safety restrictions were lifted, the spending floodgates opened in a different way. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 That year, Justin Timberlake and Tina Fey won the Guest Actor and Guest Actress in a Comedy awards for their SNL appearances, and from there the floodgates opened. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 17 July 2026 Have there been any pivotal moments in the past few years that have really opened up the floodgates in terms of productions coming to Oklahoma? — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for floodgate

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flodgate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of floodgate was in the 13th century

Rhymes for floodgate

See All Rhymes for floodgate

Browse Nearby Words

flood fallowing
floodgate
flood gull
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

floodgate

noun
flood·​gate ˈfləd-ˌgāt How to pronounce floodgate (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on floodgate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for floodgate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about floodgate

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