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
Big Blue actually trailed 10-9 at the half before the floodgates opened, earning head coach Bill Parcells the first ever Super Bowl Gatorade bath.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Before his Super Bowl engagement, something finally broke down the floodgates, returning him back Dunder Mifflin HQ.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Coyne remembers thinking shortly after Rodrigo’s appearance opened the starry floodgates.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Maybe this will open up the floodgates for deals.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
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Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Before his Super Bowl engagement, something finally broke down the floodgates, returning him back Dunder Mifflin HQ.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Coyne remembers thinking shortly after Rodrigo’s appearance opened the starry floodgates.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Maybe this will open up the floodgates for deals.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
Cite this Entry
“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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