drainage

noun

drain·​age ˈdrā-nij 

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

Dubbed the Stormwater and Streets tax, Edgerton anticipates using the dollars generated to help address drainage problems and safety issues on the roads that would otherwise not be funded. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026

Excess water should run out of the drainage holes. —Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 4 Mar. 2026

Each field has subsurface drainage, which feeds into a perimeter drain loop that leads to the retention ponds. —Abraham Nudelstejer, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026

Or fill it with gravel to turn it into a dry well, to help with yard drainage. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

drainage

noun

drain·​age ˈdrā-nij 

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 

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)