floodgate

A noun referring to a gate or valve that controls the flow of water, or figuratively, something that restrains a large outpouring or flood.

• 🇫🇷Nom désignant une porte ou une vanne contrôlant l'écoulement de l'eau, ou, au sens figuré, quelque chose qui retient un grand flux ou une inondation.

1. Water control gate B2 formal

   A gate used to control the flow of water, typically in a dam or canal.

   • The engineers opened the floodgates to release excess water.
   • A broken floodgate caused flooding in the valley.
   • The floodgate mechanism requires regular maintenance.

   🇫🇷Vanne de régulation d'eau

   Synonymes: head gatepenstocksluicewater gate

2. Restraint or barrier C1 formal

   Something that holds back or controls a large flow or outpouring, often used metaphorically.

   • The court's decision opened the floodgates for similar lawsuits.
   • His resignation opened the floodgates of criticism.
   • The new policy could open the floodgates for immigration.

   🇫🇷Frein, barrière

   Synonymes: barriercheckcontrolcurbdamrestraint

   Antonymes: outletreleasespoutvent

• floodgates plural form
• floodgates' possessive plural form
• floodgate's possessive singular form