flood */*/

I UK [flʌd] / US verb
Word forms "flood":
present tense I/you/we/they flood he/she/it floods present participle flooding past tense flooded past participle flooded

1) [transitive] if water floods a place, it covers it

Water burst through the dam and flooded local villages.

The ground floor of the house was flooded.

a) [intransitive] to become covered or filled with water

Ten years ago the valley flooded.

b) [intransitive] if a river floods, water rises up over its edges and covers the land around it

c) [intransitive] if water floods somewhere, it flows there quickly and in large amounts

flood in/out/down etc:

Water was flooding in through the back door.

2) [intransitive/transitive] if light floods into a place or floods a place, the place becomes filled with bright light

flood into/out of/through:

I opened the curtains and light flooded into the room.

Pale sunshine flooded the classroom.

be flooded with something:

Suddenly the house was flooded with moonlight.

3) [intransitive/transitive] if people or things flood somewhere, they go there or arrive there in large numbers

flood into/out of/across etc:

Calls have been flooding into our office from worried parents.

Refugees are flooding out of the capital.

be flooded with something:

The TV station was flooded with complaints.

4) [intransitive/transitive] if you flood an engine, or if it floods, too much fuel goes into it and it will not start

5) [intransitive/transitive] mainly literary if tears flood your eyes, or if your eyes flood with tears, you suddenly start to cry

6) [intransitive/transitive] mainly literary if colour floods your face or cheeks. or if your face floods with colour, your face suddenly turns red because you feel a strong emotion

7) [intransitive/transitive] mainly literary if an emotion floods through you, or if you are flooded with an emotion, you suddenly feel it strongly

Relief flooded through him.

•

- flood the market

Phrasal verbs:

- flood back

- flood out

II UK [flʌd] / US noun
Word forms "flood":
singular flood plural floods

1)

a) [countable/uncountable] a large amount of water that covers an area that was dry before

The southwest of England has been badly hit by floods.

Ambulances could not get through the floods.

After three weeks the flood waters finally receded.

b) the Flood in the Bible, the occasion when God covered the earth with water to punish people

2)

a) [countable] a large number of people or things that move somewhere or arrive somewhere at the same time

flood of:

The border areas are trying to cope with a flood of refugees.

We received a flood of letters protesting against the change.

b) a large number of things that happen at the same time

flood of:

This year has seen a flood of new consumer legislation.

3) [countable] a flood of light is a strong light that fills a place

4) [countable] a flood of memories or feelings is a lot of strong memories or feelings that suddenly affect you

The song brought back a flood of memories.

•

- in flood

- in floods of tears

- in full flood