floodwater

noun

flood·​wa·​ter ˈfləd-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce floodwater (audio)
-ˌwä-
: the water of a flood

Examples of floodwater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That moment came after floodwaters caused the Guadalupe River to rise to historic levels in the early morning hours of Independence Day, bringing death and devastation to Kerr County and the surrounding area. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 Riya Tamang, 21, who fled with her 10-month-old baby as the floodwaters approached, is among those taking shelter at the monastery. — Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Five days after floodwaters unleashed by a glacier collapse buried communities under thick mud, rescuers in Nepal were still struggling to reach devastated areas as the full extent of the destruction came into focus. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 Thapa said many of the bodies had remained submerged in floodwaters for about four days and were already decomposing by the time they were recovered. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for floodwater

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of floodwater was in 1791

Rhymes for floodwater

See All Rhymes for floodwater

Browse Nearby Words

floodwall
floodwater
floodway
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Floodwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floodwater. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

floodwater

noun
flood·​wa·​ter ˈfləd-ˌwȯt-ər How to pronounce floodwater (audio)
-ˌwät-
: the water of a flood
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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