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

Haspel, a career CIA agent with more than 30 years at the agency, will also have to answer questions about her involvement in the destruction of 92 CIA videotapes that showed prisoners being waterboarded — a technique that simulates drowning. — Erin Kelly, USA TODAY, "Senators to press Gina Haspel about her role in CIA torture program during Wednesday hearing," 8 May 2018 And the unbearable cuteness and sexiness of Cardi, a raunchy L.O.L. doll, quickly erases those moments, drowning them in adorable high jinks. — Harper's BAZAAR, "Cardi B Opens Up About Her "Rags to Riches" Cinderella Story," 7 Feb. 2019 North Carolina’s Department of Agriculture last week issued a livestock casualty report: 3.4 million chickens drowned in Hurricane Florence. — Kelsey Piper, Vox, "How 3.4 million chickens drowned in Hurricane Florence," 24 Sep. 2018 Gear mods, and the components to buy them, are also very rare for anyone not already drowning in them. — Aaron Zimmerman, Ars Technica, "Destiny 2: Forsaken review: Hallelujah, Destiny’s back," 19 Sep. 2018 Get our daily newsletter In a grim reminder of the operation’s dangers, Saman Gunan, an experienced former Thai navy SEAL, drowned while supplying air tanks. — The Economist, "A cave rescue in Thailand shows Britain’s skill at spelunking," 11 July 2018 Jaevon Whyte was found drowned in the city pool at 2 a.m. Wednesday. — Ruth Bruno, courant.com, "Hartford Mayor Announces Plan For Policies To Maintain Security Cameras After 16-Year-Old Boy Drowns In Keney Park Pool," 6 July 2018 The 19-month-old drowned earlier this month in a pool in the neighborhood of Coto de Caza, California, PEOPLE confirmed. — Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, "Nigerian Musician D'banj's 13-Month-Old Son Drowns in Swimming Pool: Reports," 25 June 2018 Last week, a 14-year-old boy was taken to a local hospital after nearly drowning inside the amusement park. — Monica Rodriguez, Fortune, "Six Flags Roller Coaster Stuck at Peak Leaves Riders Stranded," 19 June 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

Statistics for drown

Last Updated

2 Apr 2019

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