Definition of drag
1 : something used to drag (see 2drag) 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: such asa agriculture : harrowb : a sledge (see 3sledge 2) for conveying heavy bodiesc : conveyance
3a : the act or an instance of dragging or drawing: such 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 took a drag on his cigar; also : a draft (see 1draft 2b) of liquidb : a movement, inclination, or retardation caused by or as if by dragging the drag of his bottom lipc slang : influence securing special favor : pull
4a : something that retards or impedes motion, action, or advancementb (1) physics : the retarding force acting on a body (such as an airplane) moving through a fluid (such as air) parallel and opposite to the direction of motion (2) mechanical engineering : friction (see friction 1b) between engine parts; also : retardation due to frictionc : burden, encumbrance the drag of population growth on living standardsd : 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 hunting a : an object drawn over the ground to leave a scented trailb : a clog (see 1clog 1a) fastened to a trap to prevent the escape of a trapped animal
7a : costume, outfit in Victorian dragb : clothing typical of one sex worn by a person of the opposite sex —often used in the phrase in drag men dressed in drag
8 sports : drag race
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Examples of drag in a Sentence
My parents can be such a drag. They won't let me do anything.
These meetings are a total drag.
Let me have a drag from your cigarette.
He took a long drag on the cigarette.
Recent Examples of drag from the Web
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The rainbow, long considered a symbol of hope, was adopted by the homosexual community in 1978 when artist and drag queen Gilbert Baker created the Rainbow Flag for use in a San Francisco parade.
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This has resulted in a significant (and preventable) drag on economic growth.
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That route, however, bypasses central Greenwood, where city officials would like to see a trail that goes along Missouri 150, the town’s main drag.
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The drag racers were up by 6am, turning high-octane into noise just outside our bedroom window.
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The city also invested in other resident-friendly infrastructure: bike trails, sidewalks, an outdoor sound system on the main drag.
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With costume contests and ornate drag performances, the ball was a legend of its time.
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Four-wheel disc brakes (11.8-inch front discs or 12.6-inch for the 2.0-liter) are fitted with Duralife rotors with low-drag calipers; rear discs are 11.3-inch on all models.
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Other indicators, though, seem to suggest that Trump’s new political position is serving as a drag on his business prospects.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'drag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of drag
Middle English dragge, probably from Middle Low German draggen grapnel; akin to Old English dragan to draw — more at draw
drag
Definition of drag
dragged
;dragging
transitive verb
1a (1) : to draw or pull slowly or heavily : haul dragging a box down the hall (2) : to cause to move with slowness or difficulty dragged myself up the stairs dragging his feet (3) : to cause to trail (see 1trail 1a) along a surface wandered off dragging the leashb (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 drag the truth out of himc : protract drag a story out
2a : to pass a drag over drag a fieldb : to explore with a drag drag the pond for the drowning victimc hunting and fishing : to catch with a dragnet (see dragnet 1)
3 baseball : to hit (a drag bunt) while moving toward first base
4 computers : to move (items on a computer screen) especially by means of a mouse (see 1mouse 4) Drag the file into this folder.
intransitive verb
1 : to hang or lag behind Stop dragging and hurry up.
2 : to fish or search with a drag (see 1drag 1)
3 : to trail along on the ground Your scarf is dragging.
4a : to move slowly because of fatigue was dragging after the long tripb : to proceed or continue laboriously or tediously The lawsuit dragged on for years.
drag one's feet
or less commonlydrag one's heels
Examples of drag in a Sentence
She dragged one of the other tables over to ours.
Firefighters dragged the man to safety.
One of the parents eventually dragged the screaming toddler out of the store.
The broken muffler dragged behind the car.
The dog's leash was dragging along the ground.
The child is always dragging his blanket.
The puppy ran up to us, dragging her leash behind her.
He dragged himself up the stairs and climbed into bed.
Can you drag yourself away from that computer?
Recent Examples of drag from the Web
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Will the entire Russia scandal play out before Metro finishes dragging its feet on this station?
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The Cavalier was dragged about 290 feet before stopping, according to Wojas.
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Likewise in Afghanistan, the war seems to drag on interminably, with no effective plan.
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Wagner burst into the backfield untouched and dragged down running back Devonta Freeman for a loss of two yards.
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Trust me, walking with her is an experience in itself; then factor in her attempts to drag me down the sidewalk face first.
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Private data can also be subpoenaed and dragged into the public setting of a courtroom.
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But their contribution extends well beyond the riverbanks because their carcasses, dragged into the forests by bears, also nourish mosses, trees, insects, songbirds, wolves, and more.
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Connecting the dots quickly, Borch, then on her knees, dragged the still biting raccoon, which was now scratching frantically at her hand and arms, into the puddle.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'drag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of drag
see 1drag
drag
Definition of drag
: of, being, involving, or intended for a person wearing clothing typical of the opposite sex : of, being, involving, or intended for a person in drag (see 1drag 7b) a drag ball
Recent Examples of drag from the Web
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The sunny skies were great and 70-degree temps were perfect, but a flag-snapping crosswind made the drag track sensitive to navigate for those not in tune with the conditions.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'drag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of drag
see 1drag
DRAG Defined for English Language Learners
drag
playDefinition of drag for English Language Learners
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: someone or something that is boring, annoying, or disappointing
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: someone or something that makes action or progress slower or more difficult
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: the act of breathing in smoke from a cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc.
drag
Definition of drag for English Language Learners
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: to pull (someone or something that is heavy or difficult to move)
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: to move along the ground, floor, etc., while being pulled
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: to cause (something) to move along the ground, floor, etc., by pulling it
DRAG Defined for Kids
Definition of drag for Students
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
Definition of drag for Students
dragged
;dragging
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
Learn More about drag
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See words that rhyme with drag Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for drag Spanish Central: Translation of drag Nglish: Translation of drag for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of drag for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drag
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