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

In its neglect, it unwittingly allowed the floodgates of far-right rhetoric to burst open, giving a voice and platform to ideologies that once lingered in the corners of society.

From Salon

Federal Election Commission opened the floodgates for corporate spending in elections, according to the data.

From Salon

But when doctors said he could imbibe at 19, “The floodgates opened,” he recalled in 2017.

From Los Angeles Times

This opened the floodgates and thousands of pounds began to fly out.

From BBC

In the thousands of messages I got from across the country, it felt as if a great floodgate of pain and family loneliness was opening.

From BBC