noun
Common
flooding
FLUH-dihng
Flooding (noun) means the occurrence of a flood, or water overflowing onto normally dry land. Example: “Heavy rain caused flooding in the low-lying part of town.”
noun
1
The occurrence of a flood, or water overflowing onto normally dry land.
"Heavy rain caused flooding in the low-lying part of town."
"Residents prepared sandbags to guard against flooding near the river."
"Flooding closed several roads after the storm."
2
A therapy technique that exposes a person to a feared object or situation all at once, rather than gradually.
"Flooding can feel overwhelming because the person cannot escape the feared situation."
"Unlike gradual exposure, flooding puts a patient straight into the situation they fear most."
"The therapist used flooding to help him overcome his fear of flying."
How to use flooding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWater spreading over land, or (in psychology) intense, sudden exposure therapy.
Common pairings
river flooding
flooding therapy
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Word forms
- Plural
- floodings
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Heavy rain caused _____ in the low-lying part of town.
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Rhymes for flooding
See all rhymes for flooding →Frequently asked questions
What does “flooding” mean?
The word “flooding” means the occurrence of a flood, or water overflowing onto normally dry land. In plain terms, water spreading over land, or (in psychology) intense, sudden exposure therapy.
How do you pronounce “flooding”?
“Flooding” is pronounced FLUH-dihng (/ˈflʌdɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “flooding” in a sentence?
Here is “flooding” used in a sentence: “Flooding closed several roads after the storm.”
What part of speech is “flooding”?
“Flooding” is a noun.
Is “flooding” a common word?
“Flooding” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “flooding” have?
“Flooding” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the occurrence of a flood, or water overflowing onto normally dry land.
What is the difference between "flooding" and "a flood"?
"A flood" names a single overflow of water onto dry land, while "flooding" refers to the ongoing occurrence or general phenomenon of water overflowing. Weather reports often say "flooding is expected" to describe the broad situation rather than one specific flood.
What is "flooding" in psychology?
In therapy, "flooding" is a technique that exposes a person to a feared object or situation all at once, rather than gradually. It aims to reduce fear by having the person confront the trigger fully until the anxiety subsides.
What is the difference between "flooding" and gradual exposure?
Both are exposure techniques for treating fears, but "flooding" confronts the feared situation fully and immediately, while gradual (or graded) exposure introduces it in small, increasing steps. Flooding is faster and more intense; gradual exposure is slower and gentler.
What words commonly go with "flooding"?
In the water sense, "flooding" pairs with words like "flash flooding," "coastal flooding," "severe flooding," and "widespread flooding." These phrases specify the cause, location, or scale of the overflow.
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