a large amount of water that overflows land which is usually dry
After days of heavy rain, the river burst its banks and a huge flood swept through the town.
Rescuers used boats to reach families trapped by the flood.
✦ Old English “flōd,” related to “flow,” originally meaning “a flowing of water.”
to cover or fill with water; to become filled with water
Heavy rains flooded the basement overnight.
If you leave the tap on, the bathroom will flood.
a very large number or amount of things that appear or arrive suddenly
A flood of emails awaited me after the long weekend.
She was overwhelmed by a flood of memories when she saw her childhood home.
to arrive or go somewhere in large numbers, or to fill something completely with things, people, light, or feelings
Fans flooded into the stadium as soon as the gates opened.
Morning sunlight flooded the room through the open curtains.
a flat area of land next to a river or stream, which is regularly covered by water during floods.
The town is built on a floodplain, so heavy rains cause problems.
Farmers like the floodplain because the soil is very fertile.
✦ Mid-19th century: from 'flood' + 'plain'.
