mudslide

Everyday

1. A large amount of wet mud sliding quickly down a hill or mountain, often after heavy rain. tree →
2. (informal) A mudslide is also the name of a fun slippery slide in mud. tree →

In the lessons

Used in geography and science (natural hazards; rain loosens soil on steep slopes, especially where trees have been cut down) and in news about disasters. Safety: mudslides can bury roads and houses; people are warned to leave when heavy rain is coming.

Examples

• After days of heavy rain, a mudslide blocked the mountain road. tree →
• Mudslides are more likely where trees have been cut down. tree →
• The village was evacuated because of the danger of mudslides. tree →
• In geography we learned how a mudslide happens. tree →
• A small mudslide covered the footpath in brown sludge. tree →
• Rescue teams searched for people after the mudslide. tree →
• Tree roots help hold the soil and prevent mudslides. tree →

Note

Countable. Similar words: "landslide" (rocks and soil sliding, wet or dry) and "mudflow". "Landslide" is also used for a big election win, but "mudslide" is not.