spate

[ speyt ]

/ speɪt /

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See synonyms for spate on Thesaurus.com

noun

a sudden, almost overwhelming, outpouring: a spate of angry words.

British.

a flood or inundation.
a river flooding its banks.
a sudden or heavy rainstorm.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of spate

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

Words nearby spate

Spassky, spastic, spastic paralysis, spat, spatchcock, spate, spathaceous, spathe, spathic, spathiphyllum, spathose

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spate in a sentence

The debate in Fairfax comes as a spate of school systems in the Washington region have begun adding Muslim and Jewish holidays to their calendars.
Faith leaders criticize Fairfax school board for delaying vote on adding four religious holidays to calendar|Hannah Natanson|February 10, 2021|Washington Post
Roughly a year ago, Visa announced plans to acquire the fintech company, heralding a spate of deals in the financial technology space.
Why investors are excited to see the Plaid and Visa merger die|Lucinda Shen|January 13, 2021|Fortune
However, in the last decade, a spate of new research has demonstrated that treating the infected organ with a course of antibiotics can sometimes resolve the issue.
2020 isn’t all bad. Here are 13 science stories to be thankful for.|Rachel Feltman, Sara Chodosh|November 26, 2020|Popular-Science
Rusenko says customers have been so pleased by the service that, in the case of another Mill Valley restaurant, they posted a spate of positive Yelp reviews.
Fewer waiters, no menus: Is Square’s new service the future of dining?|Jeff|September 29, 2020|Fortune

In a normal year, this sudden spate of hiring would be extremely noticeable — several hundred thousand new government jobs could increase that month’s total number of jobs gained by an order of magnitude.
The Easy Part Of The Economic Recovery Might Be Over|Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux|September 4, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
And then there was the crippling nerves that it would not be good, especially given the recent spate of really bad TV biopics.
Inside the Lifetime Whitney Houston Movie’s Lesbian Lover Storyline|Kevin Fallon|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What explains the recent spate of extreme weather events and other natural disasters?
Extreme Weather? Blame the End Times|Jay Michaelson|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The recent spate of acid attacks on women is only the latest manifestation of this dangerous trend.
The Nuclear Deal That Iran’s Regime Fears Most|Djavad Khadem|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In cases such as a spate of recent suicides by adolescents who were bullied on Facebook, the perpetrators were well known.
Outed Madeleine McCann Troll Kills Herself. But Millions Live On Online.|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A bombing spate in Lebanon last year started to tail off in the winter.
ISIS May Open a Third Front in Lebanon|Jamie Dettmer|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was about the first day of October, and we had enjoyed a “spate.”
Angling Sketches|Andrew Lang
Such holes are made by the swirling water of the floods, and may change their situation with every spate.
The Rivers of Great Britain: Rivers of the East Coast|Various
Annan has its moods—quiet and gentle in the pleasant summer days, given to violent outbursts in time of spate.
The Rivers of Great Britain; Rivers of the South and West Coasts|Various
Then she turned to me in a sudden spate of passion, her face pleading, furrowed, wretchedly sad.
The Trail of '98|Robert W. Service
Give me better health and a little spate of energy, and I shall try conclusions with him yet.
The Last Galley|Arthur Conan Doyle

British Dictionary definitions for spate

spate

/ (speɪt) /

noun

a fast flow, rush, or outpouringa spate of words

mainly British a sudden floodthe rivers were in spate

mainly British a sudden heavy downpour

Word Origin for spate

C15 (Northern and Scottish): of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spate

Origin of spate

Words nearby spate

Words related to spate

How to use spate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spate

Word Origin for spate