floodwater

noun

flood·​wa·​ter ˈfləd-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce floodwater (audio)
-ˌwä-
: the water of a flood

Examples of floodwater 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.
The flooding left behind scenes of destruction across West Virginia, including a hotel in Weston where floodwaters poured into the lobby as water inundated parts of the property. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Onlookers watched the storm surge at the Lake Pontchartrain estuary, with kids splashing in the floodwaters as Bertha approached the Louisiana Coast. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 Last year, nearly 20 inches of floodwater swallowed his home. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 Abbott shared that one man was swept away in an RV near the city of Comfort, and a woman in Uvalde was caught by floodwaters while driving. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for floodwater

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of floodwater was in 1791

Rhymes for floodwater

See All Rhymes for floodwater

Browse Nearby Words

floodwall
floodwater
floodway
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Floodwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodwater. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

floodwater

noun
flood·​wa·​ter ˈfləd-ˌwȯt-ər How to pronounce floodwater (audio)
-ˌwät-
: the water of a flood

More from Merriam-Webster on floodwater

Nglish: Translation of floodwater for Spanish Speakers

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