Definition of drop
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a(1)
: the quantity of fluid that falls in one spherical mass
a drop of rain
(2)
drops plural
: a dose of medicine measured by drops
eye drops for dilating the pupil of the eye
b
: a minute quantity or degree of something nonmaterial or intangible
not a drop of meanness in her
c
: a small quantity of drink
hasn't touched a drop of alcohol in three years
d
: the smallest practical unit of liquid measure
2
: something that resembles a liquid drop: such as
b
: a small globular cookie or candy
sucking on lemon drops
3
[drop entry 2]
b
: a decline in quantity or quality
His income took a sudden drop. a drop in demand
c
: a descent by parachute
also
: the people or equipment dropped by parachute
expecting another drop this week
d
: a place or central depository to which something (such as mail, money, or stolen property) is brought for distribution or transmission
left the package at the drop
also
: the act of depositing something at such a place
made the drop
4a
: the distance from a higher to a lower level or through which something drops
It's a twenty-foot drop from the top of the fence. a steep drop
5
: a slot into which something is to be dropped
a
: a movable plate that covers the keyhole of a lock
c
: a hinged platform on a gallows
d
: a fallen fruit
7
: the advantage of having an opponent covered (see cover entry 1 sense 1b(2)) with a firearm
broadly
: advantage, superiority
—usually used in the phrase get the drop on waiting to get the drop on me
8
: a move back from the line of scrimmage (as in preparation for making a forward pass)
a quick drop
at the drop of a hat
drop in the bucket
: as soon as the slightest provocation is given : immediately
loses her temper at the drop of a hat
: a part so small as to be negligible
drop
verb
dropped; dropping
Definition of drop (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to fall in drops
2a(1)
: to fall (see fall entry 1 sense 1a) unexpectedly or suddenly
The book dropped from her hand.
(2)
: to descend (see descend sense 1) from one line or level to another
the land drops to sea level
b
: to fall in a state of collapse (see collapse entry 2 sense 1b) or death
dropped from exhaustion
c
of a playing card
: to become played by reason of the obligation to follow suit
d
: to fall or roll into a hole or basket
3
: to enter or pass as if without conscious effort of will (see will entry 2 sense 4a) into some state, condition, or activity
dropped into sleep
4a
: to cease to be of concern : lapse
let the matter drop
b
: to pass from view or notice : disappear
—often used with out drop out of sight
c
: to become less
production dropped
—often used with off
5
nautical
: to move with a favoring wind or current
—usually used with down We dropped down the harbor.
6
informal
: to be released to the public
His latest solo album dropped in August …— Ed Rampell The second Podcast drops Nov. 14 and can be downloaded free …— Langston Wertz Jr. There's also something to be said for jumping on a subscription for a month or two, say when a big, new game drops.— Adam Rosenberg
1
: to let fall : cause to fall
dropped the ball dropping bombs on the city
2a
: give up sense 2, abandon
drop an idea drop the charges
b
: discontinue
dropped what she was doing
3a
: to utter or mention in a casual way
drop a suggestion drop names
b
: write
drop us a line soon
4a
: to lower or cause to descend from one level or position to another
drop the hem two inches drop the water level
b
: to cause to lessen or decrease : reduce
dropped his speed
5
of an animal
: to give birth to
6a
: lose
dropped three games dropped $50 in a poker game
b
: spend
drop $20 for lunch
c
: to get rid of
dropped 20 pounds
7a
: to bring down with a shot or a blow
dropped the buck with one shot dropping the world champion in the ring
b
card games
: to cause a cardholder to unwillingly play (a high card)
dropped her ace
c
: to toss or roll into a hole or basket
drop a putt
8a
: to deposit or deliver during a usually brief stop
—usually used with off drop the kids off at school
b
: air-drop
drop the supplies to the medical team
9
: to cause (the voice) to be less loud
10a
linguistics
: to leave (a letter representing a speech sound) unsounded
drop the g in running
b
: to leave out in writing : omit
accidentally dropped a whole line
11
: to draw from an external point
drop a perpendicular to the line
12
: to take (a drug) orally : swallow
drop acid
drop a dime
drop behind
drop the ball
: to inform authorities (such as the police) of another's wrongdoing
: to fail to keep up
: to make a mistake especially by failing to take timely, effective, or proper action
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Time Traveler for drop
The first known use of drop was before the 12th century
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