drawdown

1 of 2

noun

draw·​down ˈdrȯ-ˌdau̇n 

1

: a lowering of a water level (as in a reservoir)

2

a

: the process of depleting

b

: reduction

draw down

2 of 2

verb

ˌdrȯ-ˈdau̇n 

drew down; drawn down; drawing down; draws down

transitive verb

: to deplete by using or spending

Synonyms of drawdown

Verb

• spend
• consume
• drain
• exhaust
• play out
• reduce
• use up
• run out of
• use
• absorb
• burn

Examples of drawdown in a Sentence

Verb

I drew down my bank account just paying for tuition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To measure one consequence, Charlie Campbell traveled to Zambia to explore how Africa is balancing mineral markets and the drawdown of U.S. foreign aid. —Sam Jacobs, Time, 15 Jan. 2026

The precautionary drawdown at Al Udeid comes as the president weighs options and watches for what Iran's response might be. —Charlie D'agata, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026

Verb

Those two factors caused the program to start drawing down its reserves around 2009, much sooner than had been projected in 2021 and 2022, according to Nuñez. —Lorie Konish, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026

Unlike younger workers who can adjust their savings rate or delay retirement to recover from market downturns, retirees drawing down their portfolios need immediate access to funds. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for drawdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown
• knockdown