First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1drift
noun \ˈdrift\
: a slow and gradual movement or change from one place, condition, etc., to another
: a large pile of snow or sand that has been blown by the wind
: the general or basic meaning of something said or written
Full Definition of DRIFT
1
a : the act of driving something along b : the flow or the velocity of the current of a river or ocean stream
2
: something driven, propelled, or urged along or drawn together in a clump by or as if by a natural agency: as a : wind-driven snow, rain, cloud, dust, or smoke usually at or near the ground surface b (1) : a mass of matter (as sand) deposited together by or as if by wind or water (2) : a helter-skelter accumulation c : drove, flock d : something (as driftwood) washed ashore e : rock debris deposited by natural agents; specifically : a deposit of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders transported by a glacier or by running water from a glacier
3
a : a general underlying design or tendency <perceiving the drift of the government's policies> b : the underlying meaning, import, or purport of what is spoken or written <the drift of a conversation>
4
: something (as a tool) driven down upon or forced into a body
5
: the motion or action of drifting especially spatially and usually under external influence: as a : the lateral motion of an aircraft due to air currents b : an easy moderate more or less steady flow or sweep along a spatial course c : a gradual shift in attitude, opinion, or position d : an aimless course; especially : a foregoing of any attempt at direction or control e : a deviation from a true reproduction, representation, or reading ; especially : a gradual change in the zero reading of an instrument or in any quantitative characteristic that is supposed to remain constant
6
a : a nearly horizontal mine passageway driven on or parallel to the course of a vein or rock stratum b : a small crosscut in a mine connecting two larger tunnels
7
a : an assumed trend toward a general change in the structure of a language over a period of time b : genetic drift
8
: a grouping of similar flowers planted in an elongated mass
— drifty \ˈdrif-tē\ adjective
See drift defined for English-language learners
See drift defined for kids
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Origin of DRIFT
Middle English; akin to Old English drīfan to drive — more at drive
Synonym Discussion of DRIFT
tendency, trend, drift, tenor, current mean movement in a particular direction. tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force <a general tendency toward inflation>. trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course <the long-term trend of the stock market is upward>. drift may apply to a tendency determined by external forces <the drift of the population away from large cities> or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of meaning or discourse <got the drift of her argument>. tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course <the tenor of the times>. current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course <an encounter that changed the current of my life>.
Other Geology Terms
2drift
verb
: to move slowly on water, wind, etc.
of snow or sand : to form a pile by being blown by the wind : to form a drift
: to move smoothly or easily in a way that is not planned or guided
Full Definition of DRIFT
intransitive verb
1
a : to become driven or carried along (as by a current of water, wind, or air) <a balloon drifting in the wind> b : to move or float smoothly and effortlessly
2
a : to move along a line of least resistance b : to move in a random or casual way c : to become carried along subject to no guidance or control <the talk drifted from topic to topic>
3
a : to accumulate in a mass or become piled up in heaps by wind or water <drifting snow> b : to become covered with a drift
4
: to vary or deviate from a set course or adjustment
transitive verb
1
a : to cause to be driven in a current b West : to drive (livestock) slowly especially to allow grazing
See drift defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DRIFT
circa 1600
DRIFT Defined for Kids
1drift
noun \ˈdrift\
Definition of DRIFT for Kids
1
: the slow movement of something carried by wind or water
2
: a pile of something that has been blown by the wind <a drift of snow>
3
: a course something appears to be taking <the drift of the conversation>
4
: the meaning of something said or implied <I don't get your drift.>
2drift
verb
drift·eddrift·ing
Definition of DRIFT for Kids
1
: to move slowly on wind or water
2
: to be piled up by wind or water <drifting sand>
3
: to move along or change without effort or purpose <She drifts from job to job.> <He drifted in and out of sleep.>
— drift·er noun
Medical Dictionary
drift
noun \ˈdrift\
Medical Definition of DRIFT
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