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

Lo, the floodgates had opened, proven by the seemingly endless supply of It-girls to carry out her vision. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024

After the floodgates opened (and permission was probably given to post), Aric Jones posted a carousel including a photo of Kelce giving a speech. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024

News of digital neobank Chime filing paperwork for a potential 2025 public offering has left many wondering: have the IPO floodgates finally opened? —Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Then, the floodgates opened, from leads in Warrior (2011) and Locke (2013) to supporting parts in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) and Lawless (2012). —Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flodgate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

floodgate

noun

flood·​gate ˈfləd-ˌgāt 

: a gate (as in a canal) for controlling a body of water : sluice

Legal Definition

floodgate

noun

flood·​gate

: something serving to restrain an outburst (as of litigation)

—usually used in pl.

a decision that will open the floodgates for other claims