draw up

verb

drew up; drawn up; drawing up; draws up

transitive verb

1
: to bring (a body of troops) into array
2
: to prepare a draft or version of
draw up plans
3
: to bring to a halt
4
: to straighten (oneself) to an erect posture especially as an assertion of dignity or resentment

intransitive verb

: to come to a halt
the car drew up at the door

Examples of draw up in a Sentence

he drew up his horse outside the tavern drew up the troops into a line along the ridge
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the time, Senior Judge Lynne Battaglia ordered the legislature to draw up a new map. Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025 And Roman delivered the game plan, utilizing four-wide receiver sets and going heavy on play action, drawing up some nifty passing plays gave Herbert wide-open throws deep. Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025 Deadline reported last month that Ashling O’Connor, a consultant at executive search firm Spencer Stuart, has circulated a brief for the CEO position and is drawing up a list of potential candidates. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025 McCarthy was having some trouble doing so to start this game, as the Bears’ defense, led by new coordinator Dennis Allen, was drawing up the right pressures to fluster the young signal caller. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for draw up

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of draw up was in 1608

Cite this Entry

“Draw up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draw%20up. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

draw up

verb
1
: to arrange (as troops) in order
2
: to prepare a draft or version of
draw up plans
3
: to straighten (oneself) to an erect posture
drew himself up angrily and left the room
4
: to bring or come to a stop
the car drew up at the door

More from Merriam-Webster on draw up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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