drain

verb

\ ˈdrān

drained; draining; drains

Definition of drain

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 obsolete : filter

2a : to draw off (liquid) gradually or completely drained all the water out of the pool

b : to cause the gradual disappearance of drain the region's wealth

c : to exhaust (see exhaust entry 1 sense 1b) physically or emotionally feeling drained at the end of a long workday

3a : 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 sports : drop sense 7c, sink drain the putt drained two free throws

intransitive verb

1a : to flow off gradually

b : to disappear gradually : dwindle his nervousness drained away, as it always did— H. A. Sinclair

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 drains into the Gulf of Mexico

drain

noun

Definition of drain (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a means (such as a pipe) by which usually liquid matter is drained

2a : the act of draining

b : a gradual outflow or withdrawal : depletion a net drain from the East of five million souls— G. W. Pierson

3 : something that causes depletion : burden a drain on the city's resources

4 electronics : an electrode in a field-effect transistor toward which charge carriers move — compare gate, source

down the drain

: to a state of being wasted or irretrievably lost All their hard work went down the drain.

Other Words from drain Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about drain

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Synonyms & Antonyms for drain

Synonyms: Verb

bleed, draft, draw (off), pump, siphon (also syphon), tap

Antonyms: Verb

fill

Choose the Right Synonym for drain

Verb

deplete, drain, exhaust, impoverish, bankrupt mean to deprive of something essential to existence or potency. deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function. depleting our natural resources drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence. personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit exhaust stresses a complete emptying. her lecture exhausted the subject impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness. impoverished soil bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse. war had bankrupted the nation of resources

Examples of drain in a Sentence

Verb

Drain the canned tomatoes before adding them to the pot. The swamp has been drained. I was waiting for the bathtub to drain. The river drains into a lake. Years of civil war have drained the country's resources. The city's emergency fund has been drained. I feel totally drained of energy this evening.

Noun

The drain in the bathtub is blocked.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

New Orleans officials have asked residents to keep at least three days of supplies on hand and to keep their neighborhood storm drains clear so water can move quickly. — Author: Chevel Johnson, Janet Mcconnaughey, Anchorage Daily News, "Flooding swamps New Orleans; possible hurricane coming next," 11 July 2019 New Orleans officials have asked residents to keep at least three days of supplies on hand and to keep their neighborhood storm drains clear so water can move quickly. — Washington Post, "Louisiana braces for slow-moving possible weekend hurricane," 11 July 2019 New Orleans officials asked people to keep at least three days of supplies on hand and to keep their neighborhood storm drains clear so water can move quickly. — Rebecca Santana, BostonGlobe.com, "Tropical Storm Barry forms in Gulf, could become hurricane," 11 July 2019 New Orleans officials have asked residents to keep at least three days of supplies on hand and to keep their neighborhood storm drains clear so water can move quickly. — CBS News, "Louisiana braces for possible hurricane carrying double trouble," 11 July 2019 City officials asked residents to have at least three days of supplies on hand and to keep their neighborhood storm drains clear so water can move quickly. — Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY, "New Orleans, already hit by floods, prepares for arrival of a potential Hurricane Barry," 11 July 2019 New Orleans officials have asked residents to keep at least three days of supplies on hand and to keep their neighborhood storm drains clear so water can move quickly. — Chevel Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Storm floods streets of New Orleans, which could soon face a hurricane," 10 July 2019 Critics call it as a nuisance that drains battery and doesn’t provide much additional utility. — Mike Murphy, Quartz, "Apple has killed off the original MacBook," 9 July 2019 City inspection records showed that both of the complex's pools received repeat notice that drains were not visible, life poles needed to be replaced and gates did not latch. — Dallas News, "Mother whose 3 children drowned in Irving apartment pool accepts plea deal," 8 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Cook the noodles until just al dente, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, then toss with half the dressing in a medium bowl. — Aliza Abarbanel, Bon Appétit, "Salad Ramen Is the Only Dinner We Want When the Temp Gets Above 80 Degrees," 12 July 2019 Workers from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, the Department of Public Works and Mayor Mike Duggan's Office have been on the streets assessing problem areas, cleaning drains and building sand barriers. — Dajheonna Perry, Detroit Free Press, "City of Detroit issues emergency order to fend off severe flooding," 10 July 2019 The sun room, with an indoor water faucet and drain in the concrete floor, and the living room/dining room area boast abundant natural light. — Lisa Zapalac, Houston Chronicle, "Stunning home a City of Houston landmark," 16 June 2019 Remove from heat, drain and cover with cold water to stop the cooking process. — ExpressNews.com, "Recipe: Mustard Vinaigrette Potato Salad with Egg," 7 June 2019 Let sit for 15 minutes, drain and mix with the rest of the ingredients. — Sarah Fritsche, SFChronicle.com, "Recipe: The Shed’s Cabbage Salad With Nam Prik, Pea Shoots, Puffed Rice & Radish," 3 July 2018 Crews have dug out sand, tree stumps, building debris and even massive historic mill stones from storm drains and culverts, county public works Director Jim Irvin said. — Sarah Meehan, baltimoresun.com, "Ellicott City braces for more rain following Sunday's flood," 31 May 2018 Their bucket-like device has already begun to be utilized at docks and marinas to draw trash and oil like a drain and trap it while filtering clean water back out. — Thomas Leavy, CBS News, "Florida brewery unveils six-pack rings that spare sea turtles, not snare them," 24 May 2018 He was criticized for his oversight of drainage repairs conducted by Public Works, which is responsible for maintaining storm drains and underground pipes less than 36 inches in diameter. — Beau Evans, NOLA.com, "Cantrell replaces interim Public Works director, seeks permanent one," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'drain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.