FLOODGATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does floodgate mean? 

• FLOODGATE (noun)
  The noun FLOODGATE has 2 senses:

1. something that restrains a flood or outpouring

2. regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice

  Familiarity information: FLOODGATE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FLOODGATE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Something that restrains a flood or outpouring

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Context example:

suspension of surveillance opened the floodgates to illegal immigrants

Hypernyms ("floodgate" is a kind of...):

restraint (a rule or condition that limits freedom)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

floodgate; head gate; penstock; sluice valve; sluicegate; water gate

Hypernyms ("floodgate" is a kind of...):

regulator (any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.)

Holonyms ("floodgate" is a part of...):

penstock; sluice; sluiceway (conduit that carries a rapid flow of water controlled by a sluicegate)

 Context examples 

If you feel you’ve been working hard without a lot of progress, now the floodgates will open, and you will be thrilled with how things unfold in the months ahead.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Called attention to J. as being beautifully sleek. D. fondled J. Associations thus awakened, opened floodgates of sorrow. Rush of grief admitted. (Are tears the dewdrops of the heart? M.)

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)