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floodwater

American  
[fluhd-waw-ter, -wot-er] / ˈflʌdˌwɔ tər, -ˌwɒt ər /

noun

  1. the water that overflows as the result of a flood.


Etymology

Origin of floodwater

First recorded in 1785–95; flood + water

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.

See Examples For:

To direct this floodwater away from the tombs, we are systematically removing debris and excavating the area, using archaeological techniques that ensure all historical information is preserved.

From Science Daily Sep. 10, 2026

Among the worst-hit locations reviewed by BBC Verify was a key Nepal-Tibet border crossing, which was engulfed by a rush of floodwater and captured on camera.

From BBC Aug. 28, 2026

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out effort to evacuate and relocate people threatened by the floodwater.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 26, 2026

Images shared by Nepali police showed floodwater surging through a river, sweeping away houses in its path, while AFP images depicted the top floor of a house sticking out from muddy soil.

From Barron's Aug. 26, 2026

Natalie crawled inside anyway, squeezing in between beach balls and Styrofoam coolers and pool noodles that floated in the floodwater.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

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