German word

Hochwasser

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhoːxˌvasɐ/

Meaning

  • neuter nounflood

Example

Das Hochwasser hat viele Straßen überflutet.

The flood has inundated many roads.

Illustration for Hochwasser (flood)

More examples

Nach dem Hochwasser mussten viele Bewohner evakuiert werden.

After the flood, many residents had to be evacuated.

Core concept

A swollen river or body of water reaches surrounding land and obstructs roads, homes, and infrastructure.

Common phrases

  • starkes Hochwasser

    heavy flooding

  • bei Hochwasser

    during flooding

  • Hochwasserwarnung

    flood warning

Similar words

Überschwemmung: Water covers broad areas such as towns or farmland.
Flut: Damage caused by a powerful surge or large flow of water.
Sturzflut: A sudden, violent flood caused by intense rain and rapid runoff.

Definition in German

Überflutung von Landflächen durch erhöhtes Wasser, oft verbunden mit Schäden an Gebäuden und Infrastruktur.

Word origin

The compound combines the inherited Germanic words hoch and Wasser to name an unusually elevated water level and its flooding effects.

Usage tips

  • Hochwasser often names the elevated water level or resulting flood, while Überschwemmung highlights the land that has been inundated; the terms can overlap.

Other meanings

  • high waternoun
  • high tidenoun

Opposites

  • Niedrigwasserlow waternoun
  • Dürredroughtnoun

Related words

  • Hochwasserschutzflood protectionnoun
  • Hochwassermarkeflood-level markernoun
  • Hochwasserlageflood situationnoun

Word lists with this word