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
After the Supreme Court decision, the floodgates opened.
—
Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 10 May 2024
The floodgates are now open in France, but also beyond.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 5 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for floodgate 
Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 10 May 2024
The floodgates are now open in France, but also beyond.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 5 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for floodgate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'floodgate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near floodgate
Cite this Entry
“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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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