drain


Definition: Meaning of, drain in English to English dictionary.

Pronunciation: / dreɪn /

  • verb
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Word Forms:
Prsesent Past Past Participle
drain drained drained
Present Participle Third Person Singular
draining drains
  1. liquid [transitive] to make the water or liquid in something flow away
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  2. liquid [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if liquid drains away, it flows away
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  3. liquid [intransitive] if something drains, the liquid that is in it or on it flows away and it becomes dry
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  4. make somebody tired [transitive] to make someone feel very tired and without any energy
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  5. use too much [transitive] to use too much of something, especially money, so that there is not enough left
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  6. the colour/blood drains from somebody's face/cheeks used to say that someone's face becomes very pale, because they are frightened or shocked
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  7. drain a glass/cup etc written to drink all the liquid in a glass, cup etc
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  • noun
  • synonym
  • antonym
Word Forms:
Singular Plural
drain drains
[countable]
  1. especially British English a pipe that carries water or waste liquids away
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  2. British English the frame of metal bars over a drain where water etc can flow into it [=  grate American English]
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  3. American English the hole in the bottom of a bath or SINK that water flows out through [=  plughole British English]
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  4. a drain on something something that continuously uses a lot of time, money etc
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  5. down the drain informal if time, effort, or money goes down the drain, it is wasted or produces no results
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  6. down the drain informal if an organization, country etc goes down the drain, it becomes worse or fails
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drain used in phrases

  • brain drain (noun)
    1. the brain drain a movement of highly skilled or professional people from their own country to a country where they can earn more money
  • drain basket (noun)
    1. a filter in a sink drain; traps debris but passes water
  • drain board (noun)
    1. an American word for DRAINING BOARD
  • drain the cup (verb)
    1. drink to the last drop
  • storm drain (noun)
    1. an opening at the side of a street that carries away rain water during a storm
  • trap-and-drain auger (noun)
    1. a plumber's snake for clearing a trap and drain
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