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

Both natural structures channel water in a single direction, a design principle the team adapted for fuel cells by carving auxiliary drainage channels into flow field plates. —Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025

Most farm fields have open drainage ditches alongside them to capture runoff. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025

Warnings are typically issued when rainfall is recorded at levels that can suddenly overwhelm desert drainage or when flooding has already been observed. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Barkside’s outdoor area also has dog-friendly mulch and drainage rock. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025

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)