Flooding: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
flooding
[ หflสdษชล ]
natural disaster
Flooding is the overflowing of water onto land that is usually dry. It can be caused by heavy rainfall, melting snow, or rapid ice thaw. Floods can cause significant damage to buildings, infrastructure, and crops.
Synonyms
deluge, inundation, overflow, submersion.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| flooding |
General term used to describe an overflow of water that submerges land or property. Applies to both natural disasters and purposeful actions.
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| inundation |
A formal term often used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the act of being covered with water, usually from a flood.
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| deluge |
Used to describe a very large quantity of water, often in the form of a heavy, sudden rain. Can also refer metaphorically to an overwhelming amount of something.
|
| overflow |
Typically used to describe the spillage or excess of water beyond its normal limits. Can also be used figuratively to mean an excess of almost anything.
|
| submersion |
Describes the state of being completely under water. Often used in more dramatic contexts or in technical descriptions.
|
Examples of usage
- The flooding in the coastal town was devastating, leaving many residents homeless.
- After the heavy rain, the river started flooding its banks, posing a threat to nearby communities.
- The government issued a warning about potential flooding in low-lying areas.
- Emergency services were deployed to help evacuate people from the flood-affected regions.
- The floodwaters receded gradually after days of continuous flooding.
action of water overflowing
Flooding can also refer to the action of water overflowing onto land. It is often used to describe the rapid and excessive rise of water levels, leading to inundation.
Synonyms
deluge, inundate, submerge, swamp.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| flooding |
Used to describe a situation where an area is covered with water due to excessive rain, broken levees, or similar reasons. Commonly used in news or weather reports.
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| inundate |
Typically used in more formal contexts to describe the process of being overwhelmed or covered by water. It can also be used metaphorically to describe being overwhelmed by other things like work or information.
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| deluge |
Often used to describe a sudden and overwhelming amount of rain. Can also be used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming quantity of anything.
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| submerge |
Used to describe something being completely covered with water. Can also be used metaphorically to describe something being hidden or overwhelmed.
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| swamp |
Typically used for areas that are naturally wet and boggy. It can also be used negatively to describe being overwhelmed or overburdened.
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Examples of usage
- The heavy rain caused the river to flood the surrounding fields.
- The burst pipe flooded the basement with water within minutes.
- Heavy snowmelt resulted in the streets flooding, making driving hazardous.
- The monsoon season often brings torrential rain, leading to widespread flooding.
- The coastal areas are at risk of flooding during storm surges.
Translations
Translations of the word "flooding" in other languages:
๐ต๐น inundaรงรฃo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฌเคพเคขเคผ
๐ฉ๐ช รberschwemmung
๐ฎ๐ฉ banjir
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะพะฒัะฝั
๐ต๐ฑ powรณdลบ
๐ฏ๐ต ๆดชๆฐด
๐ซ๐ท inondation
๐ช๐ธ inundaciรณn
๐น๐ท sel
๐ฐ๐ท ํ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ููุถุงูุงุช
๐จ๐ฟ povodeล
๐ธ๐ฐ povodeล
๐จ๐ณ ๆดชๆฐด
๐ธ๐ฎ poplava
๐ฎ๐ธ flรณรฐ
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัั ัะฐัาัะฝั
๐ฌ๐ช แฌแงแแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sel
๐ฒ๐ฝ inundaciรณn
Etymology
The word 'flooding' originates from the Old English word 'flรณd', which means a flow of water, a river, or the sea. The concept of flooding has been documented throughout history, with various civilizations experiencing devastating floods due to natural disasters. Over time, efforts have been made to manage and mitigate the impact of flooding through engineering and urban planning.
See also: flood, flooded, floodlight.