# floodgate

/ˈfɫədˌɡeɪt/ (US) · /flˈʌdɡeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/floodgate
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

a large gate that controls the flow of water from a river, lake or dam. When you open it, water rushes through.

For teachers: a movable barrier regulating water flow in a dam, lock or drainage channel, raised or lowered to release or hold back water. Often used in the plural figuratively to describe a sudden, uncontrolled release of people, requests or emotions.

## Examples

- The workers close the floodgate to stop the river water.
- After heavy rain, engineers open the floodgate to release pressure on the dam and protect nearby villages.
- Once the court ruling was published, it opened the floodgates for hundreds of similar claims that had been waiting quietly for years.

## Usage notes

- Figurative use appears almost always as plural in the phrase 'open the floodgates' followed by 'to' or 'for'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.