floodwater

American

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

noun

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.

In San Bernardino County, adjacent to Los Angeles, authorities told AFP they were working to divert the flow of floodwater on Thursday.

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

The large hollow is designed to store floodwater, but residents there have raised concerns about its capacity during heavy storms.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025

They suggest that in these locations, hot and dry conditions may allow standing floodwater to evaporate quickly, reducing long-term damage and sometimes even creating favorable moisture conditions for the crop.

From Science Daily • Nov. 15, 2025

Sometimes, she was the one being swept away; other times, she was looking from above as friends and family were caught in floodwater.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2025

When the floodwater receded, it left behind a layer of fertile, black soil.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023