drown

verb

\ˈdrau̇n

drowned\ˈdrau̇nd

\; drowning\ˈdrau̇-niŋ

Definition of drown

intransitive verb

: to become drowned fell in the river and drowned chicken drowning in barbecue sauce drowning in paperwork

transitive verb

1a : to suffocate by submersion especially in water

b : to submerge especially by a rise in the water level villages drowned by the flooding river

c : to soak, drench, or cover with a liquid drowns her French fries in ketchup

2 : to engage (oneself) deeply and strenuously drowned himself in work

3 : to cause (a sound) not to be heard by making a loud noise —usually used with out turned up the radio to drown out the noise

4a : to drive out (something, such as a sensation or an idea) drowned his sorrows in liquor

b : overwhelm was drowned in homework

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about drown

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Examples of drown in a Sentence

Four people drowned in the flood. She fell in the river and drowned. She claims that he tried to drown her. He tried to drown himself. The river overflowed, drowning whole villages. The food was drowned in sauce. The loud music drowned the sound of their conversation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The National Weather Service says 47 people have drowned in rip currents at the Jersey Shore and the Delaware Beaches in the last 20 years. — Joseph A. Gambardello, Philly.com, "Increased risk of rip currents at the Shore," 11 July 2018 At least 15 people have drowned in the U.S. due to rip currents so far in 2018, the weather service reported. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, "Hurricane Chris threatens East Coast with dangerous rip currents through weekend," 11 July 2018 Initial autopsy results indicate that Hong drowned, the park service said. — Nicholas Bogel-burroughs, baltimoresun.com, "Connecticut man found dead in water near Assateague Island on July Fourth," 6 July 2018 Two college students from Saudi Arabia drowned in Massachusetts after rushing into a river to rescue children, officials said. — Jason Silverstein, CBS News, "Two college students from Saudi Arabia drown while trying to rescue children," 5 July 2018 Some of the most emotional moments deal with the singer's fraught relationship with her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, who also struggled with substance abuse issues and whose death by drowning in 2015 sadly mirrored her mother's. — refinery29.com, "Whitney Review: A Big Twist That Obscures An Even Bigger Life," 5 July 2018 Sheriff Howe said an autopsy concluded the actual cause of death was drowning. — Juliet Muir, NBC News, "Friends and family seek answers in murder of Iowa woman Alicia Hummel," 3 June 2018 Though Fulton County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jan Gorniak told reporters that the preliminary cause of death is drowning, the manner of death has not been determined. — Sydney Scott, Essence.com, "Missing CDC Scientist Timothy Cunningham Found Dead," 6 Apr. 2018 If Hannah had drowned, her body would likely float to the surface within a few days. — Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, "How a Young Woman Lost Her Identity," 26 Mar. 2018

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

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Dictionary Entries near drown

drowning/awash in red ink

drown one's sorrows/fears

Phrases Related to drown

drown one's sorrows/fears

drowning/awash in red ink

like a drowned rat

Statistics for drown

Last Updated

15 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for drown

The first known use of drown was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for drown

drown

verb

English Language Learners Definition of drown

: to die by being underwater too long and unable to breathe

: to hold (a person or animal) underwater until death occurs

: to cover (something) completely with a liquid

See the full definition for drown in the English Language Learners Dictionary

drown

verb

\ˈdrau̇n

drowned; drowning

Kids Definition of drown

1 : to die or cause to die from being underwater and unable to breathe

2 : to cover with a liquid She drowns her salad with dressing.

3 : to overpower especially with noise

4 : to make helpless or overwhelmed drowning in work

drown

verb

\ˈdrau̇n

drowned\ˈdrau̇nd

\; drowning\ˈdrau̇-niŋ

Medical Definition of drown

intransitive verb

1 : to suffocate in water or some other liquid

2 : to suffocate because of excess of body fluid that interferes with the passage of oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues (as in pulmonary edema)

transitive verb

: to suffocate by submersion especially in water drowned three kittens