noun
inundation
in-un-DAY-shun/ˌɪnʌnˈdeɪʃn/
The overwhelming flooding of previously dry ground.
The inundation leaves muddy water at the houses' windows and covers most fence posts.
Etymology
The wave root and “onto” prefix underlie the image of water overflowing onto something. An overwhelming quantity is figuratively such a flood, swamping what receives it.
In context
the sea levels to rise to if there's going to be flooding or inundation of water in those areas if nothing is done to protect the environment
More examples
- Heavy rain causes widespread inundation of low-lying farmland.
- Residents move to higher ground as inundation threatens their neighborhood.
- Repeated inundations leave the fields too wet to plant.
Forms
inundation · inundations
inundate verb — To cover normally dry land with floodwater.
Similar words
- flooding
- More general; does not necessarily suggest an overwhelming amount.
- deluge
- Often emphasizes a sudden, heavy rush of rain or floodwater.