1an overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land:the villagers had been cut off by floods and landslides [as modifier]:a flood barrier
(the Flood) the biblical flood brought by God upon the earth because of the wickedness of the human race (Gen. 6 ff.).
the inflow of the tide.
literary a river, stream, or sea.
2an outpouring of tears:she burst into floods of tears
an overwhelming quantity of things or people happening or appearing at the same time:his column provoked a flood of complaintsfloods of tourists come each year to marvel at the sights
1cover or submerge (an area) with water in a flood:the dam burst, flooding a small town (as noun flooding)a serious risk of flooding
[no object] become covered or submerged by a flood:part of the vessel flooded figurativeSarah’s eyes flooded with tears
(usually be flooded out) (of a flood) force (someone) to leave their home.
(of a river) become swollen and overflow (its banks).
2fill or suffuse completely:she flooded the room with light [no object, with adverbial of direction]:sunlight flooded in at the windows
overfill the carburettor of (an engine) with petrol, causing the engine to fail to start.
3 [no object, with adverbial of direction] arrive in overwhelming amounts or quantities:congratulatory messages flooded in figurativehis old fears came flooding back
[with object] overwhelm with large amounts or quantities:our switchboard was flooded with calls
4 [no object] (of a woman) experience a uterine haemorrhage.
be in (full) flood
(of a river) be overflowing its banks.
(be in full flood) be progressing or talking vigorously or enthusiastically:discussion was already in full flood and refused to be dammedshe was in full flood about the glories of bicycling
