flooding

[ fluhd-ing ]

noun

1. a form of psychotherapy in which the patient receives abrupt and intense, rather than gradual, exposure to a fear-producing situation.

flooding

/ ˈflʌdɪŋ /

noun

1. the submerging of land under water, esp due to heavy rain, a lake or river overflowing, etc
2. pathol excessive bleeding from the uterus, as following childbirth
3. psychol a method of eliminating anxiety in a given situation, by exposing a person to the situation until the anxiety subsides

Word History and Origins

Origin of flooding¹

1665–75, for sense “flood”; flood + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Deforestation and flooding in Bangladesh, the collapse of Black Sea fisheries, the desertification of sub-Saharan Africa and “a nearly endless list” of other issues, he said, would drive human migration.

From Salon

For the purposes of the project, the best photos are taken in areas susceptible to flooding and erosion, and where water levels can be gauged against identifiable landmarks such as cliffs, rocks, roads, buildings, bridge supports, sea walls, staircases and piers.

From Los Angeles Times

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in the Costa del Sol region of southern Spain after a red weather alert was issued for extreme rain and flooding.

From BBC

There were 222 confirmed deaths from the flooding in Spain last month, and 23 people are still missing.

From BBC

A former oil engineer, David Bojo Leju, has told the BBC that flooding in the area is washing pollution into water sources.

From BBC

Related Words

• inundation