floodplain

noun

flood·​plain ˈfləd-ˌplān How to pronounce floodplain (audio)
1
: level land that may be submerged by floodwaters
2
: a plain built up by stream deposition

Examples of floodplain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The 3-and-a-half-mile-long stretch of wall was being built right on the banks of the Rio Grande, in the floodplain, one of the few places where Texas desert plants could actually get water. Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2024 Follow that path under a railroad bridge to a boat landing, then go by foot through the woods until the floodplain opens out flat in front of you, revealing more than 100 sacred mounds built by Native Americans thousands of years ago. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2024 The Blue Hole Trail is just half-mile long and an easy meander through the forest and cypress floodplain to Blue Hole Spring. Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2024 Driving the news: The Department of Public Works recently requested to use a portion of its stormwater management budget to purchase a tract of land in the Far East Side for preservation of the floodplain, a first for the city. Arika Herron, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for floodplain 

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of floodplain was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near floodplain

Cite this Entry

“Floodplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodplain. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

floodplain

noun
flood·​plain -ˌplān How to pronounce floodplain (audio)
1
: low flat land along a stream or river that may flood
2
: a plain built up from earth left by floodwaters

More from Merriam-Webster on floodplain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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