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

Improper water drainage has also caused the marble on some parts of the building to discolor, according to the center. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2026

The bird planter itself has no drainage hole on the base, but the miniature plants inside come in their very own removable nursery pot. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2026

The sod-on-plastic gets placed atop a sandy zone for the turfgrass root system, and beneath that is a drainage layer with gravel. —Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 14 June 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)