flash flood

noun

: a local flood of short duration generally resulting from heavy rainfall in the immediate vicinity
flash flood verb

Examples of flash flood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Though waters have started to recede in some provinces, authorities have warned that the threat of flash floods remains high, with more rain expected through Thursday. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024 Amid the major flash floods in Spain that have so far claimed the lives of over 200 people, another tragedy was averted when a police officer saved a woman’s life from the floodwaters by using bed sheets. David Chiu, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Málaga and Valencia, cities in southeastern Spain, caught the brunt of the damage with residents experiencing flash floods that rose above 8 feet. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024 Advertisement Spain’s Mediterranean coast is used to autumn storms that can cause flooding, but this was the most powerful flash flood event in recent memory. Alberto Saiz, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flash flood 

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flash flood was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near flash flood

Cite this Entry

“Flash flood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash%20flood. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on flash flood

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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