floodplain — An area of low-lying ground adjacent to a river, formed mainly of river sediments and subject to flooding
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: An area of low-lying ground adjacent to a river, formed mainly of river sediments and subject to flooding
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈflʌdpleɪn/
Example Sentences
- The farmer knew better than to build his house on the floodplain after watching his neighbor's kitchen float away last spring.
- Many ancient civilizations flourished on floodplains because of the rich soil deposited by rivers.
- The city's floodplain regulations prevented him from building a swimming pool in his backyard - which was ironic since it became a lake every winter anyway.
floodplain
NOUN[/ˈflʌdpleɪn/]
An area of low-lying ground adjacent to a river, formed mainly of river sediments and subject to flooding
An area of low-lying ground adjacent to a river, formed mainly of river sediments and subject to flooding
An airplane surveys the river's expanded domain across the floodplain!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Floodplain is a compound word formed from flood and plain, created as a geographical term in English to describe low-lying areas adjacent to rivers or streams that are inundated during periods of high water flow. The term emerged from the combination of two Old English roots: flood (from Old English flod, meaning an overflowing of water) and plain (from Old French plain, meaning flat or level ground).
Breakdown
flood (Old English flod, meaning overflowing water or inundation) + plain (Old French plain, meaning flat or level land). Together they form a compound noun describing the flat terrain that becomes submerged during flood events.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The farmer knew better than to build his house on the floodplain after watching his neighbor's kitchen float away last spring.”
“Many ancient civilizations flourished on floodplains because of the rich soil deposited by rivers.”
“The city's floodplain regulations prevented him from building a swimming pool in his backyard - which was ironic since it became a lake every winter anyway.”
“Floodplain restoration projects help protect downstream communities from severe flooding.”
📚Related Words
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