drawer

noun

draw·​er ˈdrȯ(-ə)r 

1

: one that draws: such as

a

: a person who causes liquor to come out of a container : one who draws (see draw entry 1 sense 1b) liquor

b

: draftsman

c

: one that draws (see draw entry 1 sense transitive 7) a bill of exchange or order for payment or makes a promissory note

2

dialectal also ˈdrȯ

: a sliding box or receptacle opened by pulling out and closed by pushing in

kept the letters in the top drawer of her dresser

in the silverware drawer

3

dialectal also ˈdrȯ

drawers plural : an article of clothing (such as underwear) for the lower body

a clean pair of drawers

drawerful

ˈdrȯ(-ə)r-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Examples of drawer in a Sentence

the top drawer of the desk

There are some pens in my desk drawer.

He stood there in only his drawers.

Recent Examples on the Web

This trickles down to knickknacks and other decorative items that wind up on the coffee table when thet could easily be stored in the side table drawer. — Amanda Sims, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026

His championship trophies were in his desk drawer, the letters players had written him over the years. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Why the organization aisle is easy to miss Small bins, drawer organizers, baskets, hooks and labels often sit in a section many shoppers walk past without a second look. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

The kitchen area also includes a cabinet and drawers, plus overhead cabinets that run the length of the module. — New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English drawer, draghere, from drawen "to draw entry 1" + -er, -ere -er entry 2

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing drawer

• bottom drawer
• top drawer

Rhymes for drawer

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

drawer

noun

draw·​er ˈdrȯ(-ə)r 

1

: one that draws

2

: a sliding boxlike compartment (as in a desk)

3

plural : an undergarment for the lower part of the body

Legal Definition

drawer

noun

draw·​er ˈdrȯ-ər 

: the party that draws a draft compare drawee, payee