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
Even if the floodgates open to aid tomorrow, malnutrition experts say many more people will die — from starvation, or from diseases as simple as diarrhea because their bodies are so weak and medical care is so scant.
—
Matthew Mpoke Bigg, New York Times, 24 May 2024
Related Articles Nevertheless, the dissent is right in worrying about the floodgates.
—Stephen L. Carter, The Mercury News, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for floodgate 
Matthew Mpoke Bigg, New York Times, 24 May 2024
Related Articles Nevertheless, the dissent is right in worrying about the floodgates.
—Stephen L. Carter, The Mercury News, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for floodgate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'floodgate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near floodgate
Cite this Entry
“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
floodgate
noun
flood·gate
ˈfləd-ˌgāt
: a gate (as in a canal) for controlling a body of water : sluice
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share