drowned ˈdrau̇nd How to pronounce drown (audio) ; drowning ˈdrau̇-niŋ How to pronounce drown (audio)

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1
a
: 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
4
a
: to drive out (something, such as a sensation or an idea)
drowned his sorrows in liquor
b
: overwhelm
was drowned in homework

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
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.
Each year, stories of people acting heroically to rescue others from the water turn tragic when the rescuers end up caught in the rip currents and drown. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 July 2025 Truckee police were searching Friday for a possible drowning victim in Donner Lake, said department officials. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025 Changes in noise cancellation levels are now smoother than before as the system filters out any sudden sonic spikes, stopping the music from being drowned out by the clatter of a passing express train or a police car siren. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025 The Chandler Police Department has submitted a criminal charge recommendation for the husband of social media influencer Emilie Kiser in the drowning death of their 3-year-old son, Trigg. Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for drown

Word History

Etymology

Middle English drounen

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drown. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

drown

verb
1
a
: to suffocate in a liquid and especially in water
b
: to become drowned
2
: to cover with water : inundate
3
: to overpower especially with noise
usually used with out
the music was drowned out by shouting

Medical Definition

drown

verb
drowned ˈdrau̇nd How to pronounce drown (audio) ; drowning ˈdrau̇-niŋ How to pronounce drown (audio)

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

More from Merriam-Webster on drown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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