First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1drag
noun \ˈdrag\
: someone or something that is boring, annoying, or disappointing
: someone or something that makes action or progress slower or more difficult
: the act of breathing in smoke from a cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc.
Full Definition of DRAG
1
: something used to drag with; especially : a device for dragging under water to detect or obtain objects
2
: something that is dragged, pulled, or drawn along or over a surface: as a : harrow b : a sledge for conveying heavy bodies c : conveyance
3
a : the act or an instance of dragging or drawing: as (1) : a drawing along or over a surface with effort or pressure (2) : motion effected with slowness or difficulty; also : the condition of having or seeming to have such motion (3) : a draw on a pipe, cigarette, or cigar; also : a draft of liquid b : a movement, inclination, or retardation caused by or as if by dragging c slang : influence securing special favor : pull
4
a : something that retards motion, action, or advancement b (1) : the retarding force acting on a body (as an airplane) moving through a fluid (as air) parallel and opposite to the direction of motion (2) : friction between engine parts; also : retardation due to friction c : burden, encumbrance <the drag of population growth on living standards> d : one that is boring or gets in the way of enjoyment <thinks studying is a drag> <this sickly kid is going to be a social drag — Edmund Morris>
5
a : an object drawn over the ground to leave a scented trail b : a clog fastened to a trap to prevent the escape of a trapped animal
7
8
See drag defined for English-language learners
See drag defined for kids
Origin of DRAG
Middle English dragge, probably from Middle Low German draggen grapnel; akin to Old English dragan to draw — more at draw
Related to DRAG
2drag
verb
: to pull (someone or something that is heavy or difficult to move)
: to move along the ground, floor, etc., while being pulled
: to cause (something) to move along the ground, floor, etc., by pulling it
draggeddrag·ging
Full Definition of DRAG
transitive verb
1
a (1) : to draw slowly or heavily : haul (2) : to cause (as oneself) to move with slowness or difficulty <dragged myself up the stairs> (3) : to cause to trail along a surface <wandered off dragging the leash> b (1) : to bring by or as if by force or compulsion <had to drag her husband to the opera> (2) : to extract by or as if by pulling c : protract <drag a story out>
2
a : to pass a drag over <drag a field> b : to explore with a drag <drag a pond> c : to catch with a dragnet
3
: to hit (a drag bunt) while moving toward first base
4
: to move (items on a computer screen) especially by means of a mouse
intransitive verb
1
: to hang or lag behind
2
: to fish or search with a drag
3
: to trail along on the ground
4
a : to move slowly because of fatigue <was dragging after the long trip> b : to proceed or continue laboriously or tediously <the lawsuit dragged on for years>
5
: draw 4a <drag on a cigarette>
6
: to make a plucking or pulling movement
7
: to participate in a drag race
— drag·ging·ly \ˈdra-giŋ-lē\ adverb
— drag one's feet also drag one's heels
: to act in a deliberately slow or dilatory manner
See drag defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DRAG
15th century
3drag
adjective
Definition of DRAG
: of, being, involving, or intended for a person in drag <a drag ball>
First Known Use of DRAG
1887
DRAGGING Defined for Kids
1drag
noun \ˈdrag\
Definition of DRAG for Kids
1
: something used for pulling along (as a device used underwater to catch something)
2
: something without wheels (as a heavy sled for carrying loads) that is pulled along or over a surface
3
: something that slows down motion <He never forgot to put on the drag as we went downhill … — Anne Sewell, Black Beauty>
4
: a dull or unpleasant event, person, or thing
2drag
verb
draggeddrag·ging
Definition of DRAG for Kids
1
: to pull slowly or heavily <I dragged over a chair.>
2
: to move with slowness or difficulty <She dragged herself out of bed.>
3
: to move or cause to move along on the ground <You're dragging your scarf.> <Your scarf is dragging.>
4
: to bring by or as if by force <He dragged us to the store.>
5
: to pass or cause to pass slowly <The day dragged.>
6
: to hang or lag behind <Quit dragging—walk faster.>
7
: to search or fish by pulling something (as a net) under water
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