flood control

American  

noun

Civil Engineering.

1. the act or technique of controlling river flow with dams, dikes, artificial channels, etc., so as to minimize the occurrence of floods.

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flood control British  

noun

1. the technique or practice of preventing or controlling floods with dams, artificial channels, etc

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Etymology

Origin of flood control

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

Water-related investments include $232 million for flood control projects and nearly $70 million to support repairs to existing or new water conveyance projects.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works warned Angelenos to stay well away from waterways such as flood control channels, rivers, and streams -- even after the rain stopped.

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

The loss of tidal waters may have forced Sumerian communities to respond with large-scale irrigation and flood control systems -- innovations that defined Sumer's golden age.

From Science Daily • Oct. 27, 2025

Tens of thousands protested across the country on Sunday against corruption in government that has been blamed for a severe lack in flood control infrastructure.

From BBC • Sep. 21, 2025

Making Egypt pay, therefore, depended on keeping up the infrastructure and social institutions that had already existed for millennia, such as irrigation, flood control, and conscripted labor.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro