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Definition of spate in English:

spate

Pronunciation /spāt/ /speɪt/

See synonyms for spate

Translate spate into Spanish

noun

  • 1usually in singular A large number of similar things or events appearing or occurring in quick succession.

    ‘a spate of attacks on travelers’
    • ‘After a spate of attacks in March and April this year, bookmakers have become increasingly successful in fending off attacks.’
    • ‘With greed left to take its course, a spate of scandals has erupted among foundations and charities.’
    • ‘Technology stocks took a fresh battering after a spate of US profit warnings spread gloom across world financial markets.’
    • ‘A spate of related movements tried to emulate his success.’
    • ‘This autumn has seen a spate of high-profile full stops, marked by greatest-hits collections and line-up changes.’
    • ‘Emily the Labrador disappeared in London just hours after Britain learned of a spate of dog thefts up and down the country.’
    • ‘The proposal follows a spate of food thefts from fridges around the College.’
    • ‘It sparked a spate of letters - so many that we've started a discussion group’
    • ‘As you all know, Mason Enterprises has been going through a spate of rough times as of late.’
    • ‘The early twentieth century witnessed a spate of father-to-father advice books and a growing body of essays and articles written by and for fathers in popular magazines.’
    • ‘A spate of viruses could force carriers to beef up their customer support staffs, which would drive up prices for all users.’
    • ‘Of the sudden spate of mother-daughter movies only one contains any real surprises’
    • ‘That night saw one of the most ferocious spates of rioting in living memory.’
    • ‘There's been a recent spate of intimidating text message cases brought up in court.’
    series, succession, run, cluster, string, outbreak, rash, epidemic, explosion, plague, wave, flurry, rush, flood, deluge, torrent, outpouring
    View synonyms

  • 2British A sudden flood in a river, especially one caused by heavy rains or melting snow.

    • ‘As the river rapidly went into full spate, the ice blue turned chocolate brown and became unfishable.’

Phrases

    in spate

    • 1(of a river) overflowing due to a sudden flood.

      ‘Should the river be swollen in spate, it is one of the best places in Scotland to witness the true magic of the spectacular leaping antics of the genuine wild Atlantic salmon.’
      • ‘Not long ago, one used to spot plaques in many parts of the city, depicting the highest flood level of the river in spate.’
      • ‘Many of the local rivers were in spate especially the Owveg River.’
      • ‘Mr Gupta said heavy rainfall and rivers in spate had caused several areas to become inundated with water.’
      1. 1.1Proceeding vigorously; continuing without pause.
        ‘work was in full spate’
        • ‘By then Stalin's terror was in full spate.’
        • ‘The sexual revolution was in full spate.’
        • ‘There are very few occasions as exhilarating as a youth orchestra in full spate.’

Origin

Late Middle English (originally Scots and northern English in the sense ‘flood, inundation’): of unknown origin.