inundation

[in-uhn-dey-shuhn, -uhn-]

noun

1. the condition of being flooded.

   Researchers are warning that accelerated sea level change threatens hundreds of thousands of coastal homes with inundation.

2. a flood.

   Areas shaded in purple on the map may see an inundation of 3 to 12 feet.

3. the condition or state of being overwhelmed.

   Angkor Wat, the magnificent temple of the Khmer Empire, faces inundation by tourists and environmental dangers.

Other Word Forms

• superinundation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inundation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin inundātiōn-, stem of inundātiō “a flooding,” from inundāre “to flood, overflow”; inundate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

As our atmosphere continues to warm and sea surface temperatures continue to rise, rainfall from hurricanes and the risk of coastal inundation due to storm surge could be greater.

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The California Geological Survey recently updated its tsunami hazard map — showing places in California that are at risk of tsunami inundation.

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Three days after the inundation, one of the largest search-and-rescue efforts in recent Texas history was shifting towards a recovery operation.

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Lone-wolf book banners also use inundation, most notably Florida man Bruce Friedman, who has bragged about challenging at least one book a day since moving from New York in 2020.

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Evacuating all areas of the inundation zone, by comparison, would take hours, Eing estimated.

Read more on Los Angeles Times