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
Since Diddy's September arrest last year, the floodgates have opened on civil suits against the mogul, whose eight-figure fortune is said to be dwindling as a result of legal bills.
—
USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
The floodgates opened early when Union Berlin’s Andrej Ilic scored in the fifth minute from inside the box.
—Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Wiz’s blockbuster deal could signal the opening of the floodgates for the IPO and M&A markets.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025
Though some prominent sales have happened in Miami and South Florida, the floodgates haven’t opened yet because bulks purchases remain a hard deal to pull off, Marcus said.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
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USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
The floodgates opened early when Union Berlin’s Andrej Ilic scored in the fifth minute from inside the box.
—Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Wiz’s blockbuster deal could signal the opening of the floodgates for the IPO and M&A markets.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025
Though some prominent sales have happened in Miami and South Florida, the floodgates haven’t opened yet because bulks purchases remain a hard deal to pull off, Marcus said.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 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 29 Apr. 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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