flood
/flʌd/ · flood
noun
- A (usually disastrous) overflow of water from a lake or other body of water due to excessive rainfall or other input of water. The floodwaters destroyed the entire town.
- A large number or quantity of anything appearing more rapidly than can easily be dealt with. The flood of complaints overwhelmed the customer service team.
- The flowing in of the tide, opposed to the ebb. The flood brought a surge of new life to the coastal ecosystem.
verb
- To overflow, as by water from excessive rainfall. The dam was about to flood due to the heavy rainfall.
- To cover or partly fill as if by a flood. The floor was flooded with beer after the party.
- To provide (someone or something) with a larger number or quantity of something than can easily be dealt with. The station's switchboard was flooded with listeners making complaints.
Did you know? The word 'flood' has been used in various contexts, including literature and music. For example, in John Donne's poem 'The Sun Rising', he writes, 'Floods in the morning, and the night before...' to describe the sun's power.