floodgate \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun Etymology: Middle English, from flood + gate 1. a.: a gate for shutting out, admitting, or releasing a body of water : a sluice gate : sluice; specifically: the lower gate of a lock b.: something that acts to restrain an outburst < tears do stop the floodgates of her eyes — Shakespeare > 2.: the stream stopped by or allowed to pass by a floodgate : flood < a whole floodgate of facts — John Ward >