floodgate
noun
flood·gate
ˈfləd-ˌgāt 
1
: a gate for shutting out, admitting, or releasing a body of water : sluice
2
: something serving to restrain an outburst
opened the floodgates of criticism
Examples of floodgate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The floodgates opened in the bottom of the sixth inning as Brooks Lee belted a solo home run, Byron Buxton doubled in a run, and Kody Clemens scored on an error to make it 5-0.
—
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
Renato Sanches added a third from the bench as the floodgates opened.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Then, the floodgates opened as Walpole took over in the second half.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 June 2025
The recent struggles have brought trade rumors surrounding star outfielder Jarren Duran and if Boston decides to move off him, the trade floodgates will more than likely open.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
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Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
Renato Sanches added a third from the bench as the floodgates opened.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Then, the floodgates opened as Walpole took over in the second half.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 June 2025
The recent struggles have brought trade rumors surrounding star outfielder Jarren Duran and if Boston decides to move off him, the trade floodgates will more than likely open.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for floodgate
Cite this Entry
“Floodgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/dictionary/floodgate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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floodgate
noun
flood·gate
ˈfləd-ˌgāt
: a gate (as in a canal) for controlling a body of water : sluice
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