flood

(1) Rise, usually brief, in the water level in a stream to a peak from which the water level recedes at a slower rate. (2) Relatively high flow as measured by stage height or discharge. (3) Rising tide.

The overflowing of the normal confines of a stream or other body of water, or the accumulation of water over areas not normally submerged. Floods include river (fluvial) floods, flash floods, urban floods, pluvial floods, sewer floods, coastal floods, and glacial lake outburst floods.