Main Entry: ¹drain

Pronunciation: \ˈdrān\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English draynen, from Old English drēahnian — more at dry

Date: before 12th century

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>
4 : drop 7c, sink <drained the putt>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

synonyms see deplete

— drain·er noun