First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1drain
verb \ˈdrān\
: to remove (liquid) from something by letting it flow away or out
of a container : to become empty of a liquid
of a liquid : to flow into, away from, or out of something
Full Definition of DRAIN
transitive verb
1
obsolete : filter
2
a : to draw off (liquid) gradually or completely <drained all the water out> b : to cause the gradual disappearance of <drain the region's wealth> c : to exhaust physically or emotionally <feeling drained at the end of a long workday>
3
a : to make gradually dry <drain a swamp> b : to carry away the surface water of <the river that drains the valley> c : to deplete or empty by or as if by drawing off by degrees or in increments <drained the country of its resources> d : to empty by drinking the contents of <drain a mug of beer>
intransitive verb
1
a : to flow off gradually b : to disappear gradually : dwindle
2
: to become emptied or freed of liquid by its flowing or dropping <waiting for the tub to drain>
3
: to discharge surface or surplus water
— drain·er noun
See drain defined for English-language learners
See drain defined for kids
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Origin of DRAIN
Middle English draynen, from Old English drēahnian — more at dry
Synonym Discussion of DRAIN
deplete, drain, exhaust, impoverish, bankrupt mean to deprive of something essential to existence or potency. deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function <depleting our natural resources>. drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence <personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit>. exhaust stresses a complete emptying <her lecture exhausted the subject>. impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness <impoverished soil>. bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse <war had bankrupted the nation of resources>.
2drain
noun
: something (such as a pipe) that is used for removing a liquid from a place or container
: something that uses a lot of time, money, etc.
Full Definition of DRAIN
1
: a means (as a pipe) by which usually liquid matter is drained
3
: something that causes depletion : burden
4
: an electrode in a field-effect transistor toward which charge carriers move — compare gate, source
— down the drain
: to a state of being wasted or irretrievably lost
See drain defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DRAIN
1552
DRAINING Defined for Kids
1drain
verb \ˈdrān\
draineddrain·ing
Definition of DRAIN for Kids
1
: to remove (liquid) from something by letting it flow away or out <We need to drain water from the pool.>
2
: to slowly make or become dry or empty <drain a swamp>
3
: to flow into, away from, or out of something <The water slowly drained.>
4
: to slowly disappear <All the joy of the music drained out of him. — Mary Pope Osborne, Christmas in Camelot>
5
: to tire out <She was drained by the busy weekend.>
2drain
noun
Definition of DRAIN for Kids
1
: something used to remove a liquid <the tub's drain>
2
: something that slowly empties of or uses up <The long trip was a drain on Grandma's strength.>
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