the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
"plains fertilized by annual inundations"
an overwhelming number or amount
"a flood of requests"
"a torrent of abuse"
light that is a source of artificial illumination having a broad beam; used in photography
"The photographer adjusted the flood to ensure the entire landscape was evenly lit without harsh shadows."
a large flow
"The heavy rains caused a sudden flood of water to surge over the riverbanks and into the nearby town."
the occurrence of incoming water (between a low tide and the following high tide)
"a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune"
A (usually disastrous) overflow of water from a lake or other body of water due to excessive rainfall or other input of water.
"After weeks of heavy rain, the river burst its banks and flooded the entire valley town."
In plain English: A flood is a large amount of water that covers land where it usually does not belong.
"The sudden flood from the burst pipe soaked the entire kitchen floor."
Usage: Use "flood" as a noun to describe a large accumulation of water that covers land normally dry, often caused by heavy rain or overflowing rivers. It refers to the event itself rather than the action of flooding or the water source alone.
cover with liquid, usually water
"The swollen river flooded the village"
"The broken vein had flooded blood in her eyes"
supply with an excess of
"flood the market with tennis shoes"
"Glut the country with cheap imports from the Orient"
To overflow, as by water from excessive rainfall.
"After days of heavy rain, the river finally broke its banks and flooded the nearby farmland."
In plain English: To flood means to fill something with so much water that it overflows and covers the ground.
"The heavy rain began to flood the streets quickly."
Usage: Use "flood" to describe when a large amount of water overflows its banks or fills an area due to heavy rain or rising tides. Do not use it for small leaks or gradual accumulation unless the volume becomes overwhelming and submerges the surroundings.
The flood referred to in the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible.
"The local community center was hosting a charity dinner for all residents, including Mr. Flood from down the street."
A surname.
The word flood comes from Old English flōd, which traces back to a root meaning "to flow." It has remained in use with essentially the same sense since its arrival in Middle English.