floodgate

[ fluhd-geyt ]

noun

1. Civil Engineering. a gate designed to regulate the flow of water.
2. anything serving to control the indiscriminate flow or passage of something.

floodgate

/ ˈflʌdˌɡeɪt /

noun

1. Also calledhead gatewater gate a gate in a sluice that is used to control the flow of water See also sluicegate
2. often plural a control or barrier against an outpouring or flow

   to open the floodgates to immigration

Word History and Origins

Origin of floodgate¹

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; flood, gate ¹

Example Sentences

The earth-shattering decision opens the floodgates for cases that will challenge a central tenet of the 115-year-old athletic association — that college athletes are amateurs and should not be paid.

From Ozy

We’re at this moment where the floodgates opened and now everything is possible again.

From Quanta Magazine

The campaign will “open the floodgates” of union action, Trumka said.

From Washington Post

If Google reneges on its threat to shut down search and pays to link to publishers, it will be opening up a floodgate that could result in a cascade of similar legislation around the world.

From Search Engine Land

“Once we got Walmart in, that’s when the floodgates started to open,” Beale said.

From ProPublica

If these happen to be small, let those who sit near them beware; the smaller the floodgate, the smarter will be the stream.

From Project Gutenberg

The inventor of the damper register opened a floodgate to such aliquot re-enforcement as can be got in no other way.

From Project Gutenberg

Meeting his gaze, she unbarred a floodgate of happy tenderness in her eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

The dam and floodgate were just beyond the southwestern bastion and the old embankment of the dam can still be traced.

From Project Gutenberg

The pond or reservoir above the floodgate is separated from the weir by a stone wall on the left, or south-west side.

From Project Gutenberg