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floodplain

American  
[fluhd-playn] / ˈflʌdˌpleɪn /

noun

plural

floodplains
  1. a nearly flat area of land alongside a stream or river that is naturally subject to flooding.


floodplain Scientific  
/ flŭdplān′ /
  1. Flat land bordering a river and made up of alluvium (sand, silt, and clay) deposited during floods. When a river overflows, the floodplain is covered with water.


Other Word Forms

  • non-floodplain adjective

Vocabulary lists containing floodplain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When researchers applied their findings to all floodplain areas in Switzerland suitable for beaver recolonization, they estimated that these wetlands could offset 1.2-1.8% of the country's annual carbon emissions.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

Prior to the 11th Century, the Cholas had been one among the many squabbling powers that dotted the Kaveri floodplain, the great body of silt that flows through India's present-day state of Tamil Nadu.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2025

Even as communities deal with the aftermath of so much deferred maintenance, others are facing the inescapable fact that rebuilding on a floodplain may no longer make sense.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

He said the improvements partly come through commitments to restore marsh and floodplain habitats, as well as other efforts to support the recovery of fish species.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 26, 2024

Moistening the clay was easy—capillary action will draw up water from the floodplain, which has a high water table.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann