flooding

1. 1
   noununcountable

   A sudden rush or overflow of water onto land or into a space.

   Like a bathtub left running until water spills over the sides onto the floor.

   Heavy rain caused serious flooding across the whole valley.

   The burst pipe led to flooding in the basement overnight.

   Similarinundation, deluge

   Note
2. 2
   verb

   Present participle of flood. Use this -ing form when the action is happening right now.

   The river is flooding the fields below the dam.

   Rainwater is flooding the streets downtown.

   Note
3. 3
   noununcountable

   A way of treating a strong fear by facing the scary thing all at once instead of step by step.

   Like learning to swim by jumping into deep water instead of wading in slowly.

   Her therapist used flooding to help her get over her fear of dogs.

   With flooding, you face your biggest fear right away rather than slowly.

   Note
4. 4
   nounfigurativelyuncountable

   A state where strong emotions take over completely and turn into rage or panic.

   Like a cup that gets so full it spills over and you can't stop it.

   When everyone shouted at once, flooding took over and she froze in panic.

   His sadness turned into flooding, and he suddenly burst into rage.

   Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 4