floodgate

Definition of Floodgate in English :

1. floodgate

something that restrains a flood or outpouring

Example Sentences:
'suspension of surveillance opened the floodgates to illegal immigrants'

regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Floodgate

noun

1. Also called: head gate, water gate

a gate in a sluice that is used to control the flow of water

noun

1.

a gate in a stream or canal, to control the height and flow of the water; sluice

2.

anything like this in controlling a flow or an outburst

n.

1. A gate used to control the flow of a body of water. Also called water gate.

2. Something that restrains a flood or outpouring: The ruling opened the floodgates to refugees seeking asylum.