waterflood

[ waw-ter-fluhd, wot-er- ]

noun

1. (in the petroleum industry) a method of secondary recovery whereby water is pumped into reservoir rock to force out oil that has ceased to flow under its own pressure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of waterflood¹

First recorded in 1925–30; water + flood

Example Sentences

They rushed through the city like a waterflood, and large numbers of the natives were slain, and large numbers taken prisoners.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deluge
• torrent