flash flood

noun

1. a sudden and destructive rush of water down a narrow gully or over a sloping surface, caused by heavy rainfall.

flash flood

noun

1. a sudden short-lived torrent, usually caused by a heavy storm, esp in desert regions

flash flood

1. A sudden, localized flood of great volume and short duration, typically caused by unusually heavy rain in a semiarid area. Flash floods can reach their peak volume in a matter of a few minutes and often carry large loads of mud and rock fragments.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flash flood¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Synonym Study

See flood.

Related Words

• deluge 
• torrent