floods

Noun

flood (plural floods)

1. An overflow of a large amount of water (usually disastrous) from a lake or other body of water due to excessive rainfall or other input of water.
   • a covenant never to destroy the earth again by flood1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
2. (figuratively) A large number or quantity of anything appearing more rapidly than can easily be dealt with.
   • a flood of complaints
3. The flowing in of the tide, opposed to the ebb.
   • There is a tide in the affairs of men, / Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
4. A floodlight.
5. Menstrual discharge; menses.
6. (obsolete) Water as opposed to land.
   • Who beheld from the safe shore their floating carcasses and broken chariot-wheels. So thick bestrown, abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, under amazement of their hideous change.1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker...

See all 13 meanings of flood