spate

[speyt]

noun

1. a sudden, almost overwhelming, outpouring.

   a spate of angry words.

2. British.

   1. a flood or inundation.

   2. a river flooding its banks.

   3. a sudden or heavy rainstorm.

spate

/ speɪt /

noun

1. a fast flow, rush, or outpouring

   a spate of words

2. a sudden flood

   the rivers were in spate

3. a sudden heavy downpour

Word History and Origins

Origin of spate¹

1400–50; late Middle English (north) < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of spate¹

C15 (Northern and Scottish): of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The spate of abductions has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities.

Read more on BBC

In response to the spate of kidnappings, President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide emergency on Wednesday.

Read more on Barron's

It was the latest event hit in a spate of cancellations of cultural events involving Asia's two biggest economies.

Read more on Barron's

Explosions rocked two tankers sanctioned for carrying Russian oil, the latest in a spate of blasts on such vessels, sparking a rescue operation off Turkey’s Black Sea coast.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hassan acknowledged that the spate of development was likely to increase competition and had already spurred a rise in rents.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deluge 
• flood 
• flurry 
• outpouring 
• string 
• succession 
• torrent 
• wave