mudflow

noun

mud·​flow ˈməd-ˌflō How to pronounce mudflow (audio)
: a moving mass of soil made fluid by rain or melting snow
also : lahar

Examples of mudflow 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.
That can trigger mudflows, where water rushes down only with mud, and more serious debris flows, where water can also pick up rocks, branches and sometimes massive boulders, traveling at speeds exceeding 35 mph. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025 Flooding and flood damage after fire are often more severe, as debris and ash left from the fire can form mudflows. Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025 Pacific Coast Highway west of Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Los Angeles County was closed around 4:30 p.m. Sunday due to mudflows, officials said. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025 There are various types of landslides, including a mudflow, in which water rushes down with only mud, and is generally less than 15 feet deep. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for mudflow 

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mudflow was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near mudflow

Cite this Entry

“Mudflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mudflow. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

mudflow

noun
mud·​flow ˈməd-ˌflō How to pronounce mudflow (audio)
: a moving mass of mud made up of soil and rainwater or melted snow

More from Merriam-Webster on mudflow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!