Bank-full is a term used to describe a situation where a river or stream has reached its maximum capacity and is overflowing its banks. The term is commonly used in hydrology and engineering to describe the level at which a river or stream is considered to be at full capacity.
Definitions
The term bank-full refers to the level at which a river or stream is at its maximum capacity and is overflowing its banks. This level is typically determined by measuring the height of the water at a specific location along the river or stream. Bank-full is also known as flood stage, and it is the point at which flooding can occur.
Origin
The term bank-full has been in use since the early 1900s and is derived from the combination of two words: bank, which refers to the sides of a river or stream, and full, which refers to the maximum capacity of the water in the river or stream.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of bank-full can vary slightly depending on the dictionary. In the Oxford English Dictionary, bank-full is defined as “the level at which a river or stream is at its maximum capacity and is overflowing its banks.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines bank-full as “the level at which a river or stream overflows its banks.”
Associations
Bank-full is often associated with flooding and the potential damage that can occur as a result of high water levels. When a river or stream reaches its bank-full level, it can cause damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure in the surrounding area.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for bank-full include flood stage, high water mark, and overflow level.
Antonyms
The antonym of bank-full is low water level, which refers to the level of water in a river or stream when it is not at its maximum capacity.
The same root words
The same root words as bank-full include bank, which refers to the sides of a river or stream, and full, which refers to the maximum capacity of the water in the river or stream.
Example Sentences
- The river is currently at bank-full and is expected to crest later today.
- The town is preparing for potential flooding as the river is nearing its bank-full level.
- The hydrologist measured the water level at the bank-full mark to determine the potential for flooding.