spate

American  

[speyt] / speɪt /

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.

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spate British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of spate

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

Example Sentences

The spate of moves is made all the more remarkable by the caliber of some of the coaches now looking for new jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal

China's population fell for the fourth straight year in 2025 as its birth rates sunk to a record low, despite the government rolling out a spate of incentives to boost them.

From BBC

But even if help is not on its way, Iranians know that they will come out again sooner or later, having learned a few lessons from the most recent spate of protests.

From BBC

She was speaking after a spate of hospitals declared critical incidents during the first two weeks of the new year.

From BBC

But the fraud accusations hit her reputation, with a spate of endorsements cancelled or not renewed.

From Barron's

Related Words

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