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¹draw

verb \ˈdrȯ\

: to make (a picture, image, etc.) by making lines on a surface especially with a pencil, pen, marker, chalk, etc., but not usually with paint

: to cause (attention) to be given to someone or something

: to cause (someone or something) to come : to attract (someone or something)

drew \ˈdrü\ drawn \ˈdrȯn, ˈdrän\ draw·ing

Full Definition of DRAW

transitive verb

: to cause to move continuously toward or after a force applied in advance : pull <draw your chair up by the fire>: as

a : to move (as a covering) over or to one side <draw the drapes>

b : to pull up or out of a receptacle or place where seated or carried <draw water from the well> <drew a gun>; also : to cause to come out of a container or source <draw water for a bath> <the nurse drew a blood sample> <the wound drew blood>

: to cause to go in a certain direction (as by leading) <drew him aside>

a : to bring by inducement or allure : attract <honey draws flies>

b : to bring in or gather from a specified group or area <a college that draws its students from many states>

c : bring on, provoke <drew enemy fire>

d : to bring out by way of response : elicit <drew cheers from the audience>

e : to receive in the course of play <the batter drew a walk> <draw a foul>

: inhale <drew a deep breath>

a : to extract the essence from <draw tea>

b : eviscerate <plucking and drawing a goose before cooking>

c : to derive to one's benefit <drew inspiration from the old masters>

: to require (a specified depth) to float in <a ship that draws 12 feet of water>

a : accumulate, gain <drawing interest>

b : to take (money) from a place of deposit

c : to use in making a cash demand <drawing a check against his account>

d : to receive regularly or in due course <draw a salary>

a : to take (cards) from a stack or from the dealer

b : to receive or take at random <drew a winning number>

: to bend (a bow) by pulling back the string

: to cause to shrink, contract, or tighten

a : to strike (a ball) so as to impart a backward spin

b : to strike (a golf ball) so that a slight to moderate hook results

: to leave (a contest) undecided : tie

a (1) : to produce a likeness or representation of by making lines on a surface <draw a picture> <draw a graph with chalk> (2) : to give a portrayal of : delineate <a writer who draws characters well>

b : to write out in due form <draw a will>

c : to design or describe in detail : formulate <draw comparisons>

: to infer from evidence or premises <draw a conclusion>

: to spread or elongate (metal) by hammering or by pulling through dies; also : to shape (as plastic) by stretching or by pulling through dies

intransitive verb

: to come or go steadily or gradually <night draws near>

a : to move something by pulling <drawing at the well>

b : to exert an attractive force <the play is drawing well>

a : to pull back a bowstring

b : to bring out a weapon <drew, aimed, and fired>

a : to produce a draft <the chimney draws well> <draw on a cigar>

b : to swell out in a wind <all sails drawing>

a : to wrinkle or tighten up : shrink

b : to change shape by pulling or stretching

: to cause blood or pus to localize at one point

: to create a likeness or a picture in outlines : sketch

: to come out even in a contest

a : to make a written demand for payment of money on deposit

b : to obtain resources (as of information) <drawing from a common fund of knowledge>

— draw·able \-ə-bəl\ adjective

— draw a bead on

: to take aim at

— draw a blank

: to fail to gain a desired object (as information sought); also : to be unable to think of something

— draw on or draw upon

: to use as a source of supply <drawing on the whole community for support>

— draw straws

: to decide or assign something by lottery in which straws of unequal length are used

— draw the line or draw a line

: to fix an arbitrary boundary between things that tend to intermingle

: to fix a boundary excluding what one will not tolerate or engage in

See draw defined for English-language learners

See draw defined for kids

Origin of DRAW

Middle English drawen, dragen, from Old English dragan; akin to Old Norse draga to draw, drag

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to DRAW

Synonyms: picture

Antonyms: drive, propel, push

²draw

noun

: someone or something that causes a lot of people to come to a place

: the final result of a game, contest, etc., that does not have a winner

: an act of breathing in smoke from a cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc.

Full Definition of DRAW

: the act or process of drawing: as

a : a sucking pull on something held with the lips

b : a removal of a handgun from its holster <quick on the draw>

c : backward spin given to a ball by striking it below center — compare follow

: something that is drawn: as

a : a card drawn to replace a discard in poker

b : a lot or chance drawn at random

c : the movable part of a drawbridge

: a contest left undecided or deadlocked : tie

: one that draws attention or patronage : attraction

a : the distance from the string to the back of a drawn bow

b : the force required to draw a bow fully

: a gully shallower than a ravine

: the deal in draw poker to improve the players' hands after discarding

: a football play that simulates a pass play so a runner can go straight up the middle past the pass rushers

: a slight to moderate and usually intentional hook in golf

See draw defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of DRAW

1663

Related to DRAW

Synonyms: dead heat, tie, stalemate, standoff

Antonyms: push

DRAWS Defined for Kids

¹draw

verb \ˈdrȯ\

drew \ˈdrü\drawn \ˈdrȯn\draw·ing

Definition of DRAW for Kids

: to cause to move by pulling <Draw the curtains, please.> <She drew a chair up to the table.>

: to create a picture of by making lines on a surface <I drew a map on the chalkboard.>

: to bring or pull out <Draw your sword!>

: to move in a particular direction <He drew back in horror.>

: to bend (a bow) by pulling back the string

: to move or go slowly or steadily <Spring is drawing near.>

: attract 2 <The fair drew a crowd.> <He didn't want to draw attention to himself.>

: to get as a response <The speech drew cheers.>

: to bring or get from a source <draw blood>

: inhale 1 <Draw a deep breath.>

: to let air flow through <The fireplace is drawing well.>

: withdraw 1 <I drew money from the bank.>

: to take or get at random <We drew names from a hat.>

: to think of after considering information <draw a conclusion>

: to write out in proper form <The lawyer drew up her will.>

— draw on

: to make use of something <The story draws on old legends.>

: to come closer <Night draws on.>

— draw out

: to make last longer <Questions drew out the meeting.>

: to cause to talk freely <Her friendliness drew out the new student.>

— draw up

: to bring or come to a stop <The car drew up to the door.>

: to straighten up <He drew himself up to his full height.>

²draw

noun

Definition of DRAW for Kids

: the act or the result of pulling out <The outlaw was quick on the draw.>

: a tie game or contest

: something or someone that attracts people <The roller coaster is the park's main draw.>

Medical Dictionary

draw

verb \ˈdrȯ\

drew \ˈdrü\ drawn \ˈdrȯn\ draw·ing

Medical Definition of DRAW

transitive verb

: to cause to move toward or localize in a surface <using a poultice to draw inflammation to a head>; especially : to cause (an unwanted element) to depart (as from the body or a lesion) <this will help draw the poison>

: inhale <she drew a deep breath>

: to remove the viscera of : eviscerate

intransitive verb

: to cause local congestion : induce blood or other body fluid to localize at a particular point : be effective as a blistering agent or counterirritant—used of a poultice and comparable means of medication

of a lesion : to become localized—used in the phrase draw to a head