IPA

Dictionary definition of drain

To remove or cause the gradual depletion of a substance, typically a liquid, from a container or an area.
"Prolonged stress can drain a person’s ability to think clearly and make good decisions."

Detailed meaning of drain

It involves the process of emptying or reducing the quantity of the substance by allowing it to flow out or be extracted. When something is drained, it implies that the liquid is being removed or expelled, often through a designated outlet such as a pipe or drain. The action of draining can also be metaphorically applied to other contexts, such as energy or resources, where it signifies the gradual reduction or exhaustion of a particular entity. Overall, to drain is to facilitate the movement or extraction of a substance, resulting in its gradual disappearance or reduction.

Example sentences of drain

1. When you finish washing the dishes, don't forget to drain the sink.
2. Heavy rainfall can often drain into the sewers, causing them to overflow.
3. The mechanic will drain the oil from the car before replacing it with new oil.
4. The continuous effort required to meet the deadline began to drain her energy.
5. You need to drain the pasta as soon as it is cooked to the desired texture.
6. The garden's design allows rainwater to drain away from the house efficiently.

History and etymology of drain

The verb 'drain' has an etymology rooted in Old English and Middle English. It can be traced back to the Old English word 'drēahnian' and the Middle English word 'draynen,' both of which meant 'to draw off liquid' or 'to cause liquid to flow away.' These Old English and Middle English terms share a common ancestor with the Old Norse word 'drena,' which has a similar meaning. The common thread in the etymology of 'drain' is the notion of drawing off or removing liquid from a container or an area. This core concept has persisted through linguistic evolution, and today, 'drain' is used to describe the process of removing or causing the gradual depletion of a substance, typically a liquid, whether it be water from a sink, oil from an engine, or any other fluid from its source.

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Further usage examples of drain

1. Too much screen time can drain your eyes and make them feel tired.
2. The company’s financial mismanagement began to drain its resources and investments.
3. Can you please drain the water from the pot and add the sauce to the noodles?
4. The medical procedure may drain fluid from the affected area to relieve pressure.
5. The construction project will include a system to drain rainwater into the nearby river.
6. We need to drain the water from the flooded basement.
7. He forgot to drain the oil from the car before changing it.
8. The leaky faucet continues to drain our water supply.
9. She watched the bathtub slowly drain after taking a long bath.
10. It's important to drain excess moisture from the soil.
11. Let's drain the excess sauce from the pasta before serving.
12. They had to drain the swimming pool for maintenance.
13. The clogged sink drain needed immediate attention.
14. To clean the fish tank, you must first drain the water.
15. The battery started to drain rapidly after hours of use.
16. We must drain the swamp to prevent flooding in the area.
17. The storm drain was clogged, causing water to accumulate.
18. The plumber was called to fix the blocked kitchen drain.
19. It's essential to drain the old oil from the engine.
20. The heavy rain threatened to drain the riverbanks.
21. To unclog the drain, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
22. The energy-efficient appliances help reduce power drain.
23. The swampy ground began to drain after the rain stopped.
24. They decided to drain the reservoir for maintenance work.
25. Draining excess funds from the budget could lead to savings.