Floodwater: meaning, definitions and examples
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floodwater
[ ˈflʌdˌwɔːtər ]
natural disaster
Floodwater refers to the water that has overflowed or risen beyond its normal levels, usually as a result of heavy rainfall, melting snow, or other weather events. This excess water typically inundates areas that are usually dry, causing potential damage to property and the environment.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The floodwater reached the second floor of the building.
- Residents were evacuated as floodwater surged through the town.
- The cleanup efforts began once the floodwater receded.
Translations
Translations of the word "floodwater" in other languages:
🇵🇹 água da inundação
🇮🇳 बाढ़ का पानी
🇩🇪 Hochwasser
🇮🇩 air banjir
🇺🇦 повеневі води
🇵🇱 woda powodziowa
🇯🇵 洪水の水
🇫🇷 eau de crue
🇪🇸 agua de inundación
🇹🇷 sel suyu
🇰🇷 홍수 물
🇸🇦 مياه الفيضانات
🇨🇿 povodňová voda
🇸🇰 povodňová voda
🇨🇳 洪水水
🇸🇮 poplavna voda
🇮🇸 flóðs vatn
🇰🇿 тасқын су
🇬🇪 მდინარე წყალი
🇦🇿 sel suyu
🇲🇽 agua de inundación
Etymology
The term 'floodwater' is a compound word formed by the combination of 'flood' and 'water'. The word 'flood' has its origins in Old English 'flod', which means ‘a flowing stream’ or ‘an overflowing of land’. It is related to the Dutch word 'vloed' and the German word 'Fluss', both of which indicate a similar meaning of overflowing water. Over centuries, the meaning has evolved to denote a larger volume of water than usual, often connected to natural disasters. The addition of 'water', which comes from Old English 'wæter', underscores the liquid component that contributes to flooding. The phrase gained prominence in the context of weather-related incidents, particularly over the last century, as climate change has led to more extreme weather patterns and flooding events throughout the world.