drainage

noun

drain·​age ˈdrā-nij How to pronounce drainage (audio)
1
: the act, process, or mode of draining
also : something drained off
2
: a device for draining : drain
also : a system of drains
3
: an area or district drained

Examples of drainage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Additionally, this durable board is designed to keep knives from getting dull over time, and as mentioned, there’s a drainage groove that helps capture liquid and help prevent spills over the sides. Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024 The chateau’s Grand Cru vineyards cover 170 acres of gravely soil on top of limestone and silicate subsoils which offer excellent drainage. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 In fact, keeping the plant inside its original grow pot and hiding it within an oddly shaped or oversize vessel is a common practice that can keep a plant healthier with better drainage. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 The flooding last month brought a sense of urgency to improving stormwater drainage. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 In south Texas, the predominantly Latino Pasadena Trails community installed a drainage system ahead of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 – staving off the worst of the storm’s flooding. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Feb. 2024 The city’s most urgent plans include installing two additional dewatering wells, which extract groundwater to stop it from infiltrating the layers of clay, and improving drainage systems to keep water from entering the ground in the first place. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Line with burlap to keep the soil from washing out of drainage holes. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2024 The more than $400 million plan will rehabilitate the highway pavement, improve drainage, add lighting and other enchantments. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drainage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drainage was in 1652

Dictionary Entries Near drainage

Cite this Entry

“Drainage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drainage. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

drainage

noun
drain·​age ˈdrā-nij How to pronounce drainage (audio)
1
a
: the act of draining
b
: something drained off
2
: a method of draining
also : a system of drains

Medical Definition

drainage

noun
drain·​age ˈdrā-nij How to pronounce drainage (audio)
1
: the act or process of drawing off fluids from a cavity or wound by means of suction or gravity
2
: a process of releasing internal conflicts or pent-up feelings (as hostility or guilt)

More from Merriam-Webster on drainage

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