inundation

American  

[in-uhn-dey-shuhn, -uhn-] / ˌɪn ənˈdeɪ ʃən, -ʌn- /

noun

1. the condition of being flooded.

   Researchers are warning that accelerated sea level change threatens hundreds of thousands of coastal homes with inundation.

2. a flood.

   Areas shaded in purple on the map may see an inundation of 3 to 12 feet.

3. the condition or state of being overwhelmed.

   Angkor Wat, the magnificent temple of the Khmer Empire, faces inundation by tourists and environmental dangers.

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Other Word Forms

• superinundation noun

Etymology

Origin of inundation

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin inundātiōn-, stem of inundātiō “a flooding,” from inundāre “to flood, overflow”; inundate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

As our atmosphere continues to warm and sea surface temperatures continue to rise, rainfall from hurricanes and the risk of coastal inundation due to storm surge could be greater.

From BBC

The California Geological Survey recently updated its tsunami hazard map — showing places in California that are at risk of tsunami inundation.

From Los Angeles Times

Three days after the inundation, one of the largest search-and-rescue efforts in recent Texas history was shifting towards a recovery operation.

From BBC

Lone-wolf book banners also use inundation, most notably Florida man Bruce Friedman, who has bragged about challenging at least one book a day since moving from New York in 2020.

From Salon

The county Board of Supervisors doesn’t have jurisdiction everywhere, he noted, but “we need to make sure that the jurisdictions are clearly identifying these inundation zones.”

From Los Angeles Times