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
Online sports betting and gambling has exploded in popularity since a 2018 Supreme Court ruling opened the floodgates, becoming commonplace not only on college campuses but also among high schools and middle school students.
—
Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 1 May 2026
The floodgate will require an expensive removal of the mussels.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 May 2026
That February, Michigan became the first blue blood to offer and from there, the floodgates opened.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Only after the midway break did the floodgates open and the Fire go berserk on goal.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
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Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 1 May 2026
The floodgate will require an expensive removal of the mussels.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 May 2026
That February, Michigan became the first blue blood to offer and from there, the floodgates opened.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Only after the midway break did the floodgates open and the Fire go berserk on goal.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 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 4 May. 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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