1. Regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice
   "The operator lowered the floodgate to reduce the water flow";
   - sluicegate, sluice valve, penstock, head gate, water gate
    
2. Something that restrains a flood or outpouring
   "suspension of surveillance opened the floodgates to illegal immigrants"

Derived forms: floodgates

Type of: regulator, restraint

Part of: penstock, sluice, sluiceway

Encyclopedia: Floodgate