flood·gate (fl d g t )n. 1. A gate used to control the flow of a body of water. Also called water gate. 2. Something that restrains a flood or outpouring: The ruling opened the floodgates to refugees seeking asylum. |
floodgate [ˈflʌdˌgeɪt]
n
1. (Engineering / Civil Engineering) Also called head gate water gate a gate in a sluice that is used to control the flow of water See also sluicegate
2. (often plural) a control or barrier against an outpouring or flow to open the floodgates to immigration
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  floodgate - something that restrains a flood or outpouring; "suspension of surveillance opened the floodgates to illegal immigrants"restraint - a rule or condition that limits freedom; "legal restraints"; "restraints imposed on imports" |
| 2. |  floodgate - regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluiceregulator - any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc. |
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