Definition for drain - Oxford Dictionaries Online (World English)

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	drain (drain) Pronunciation: /dreɪn/ verb [with object] 1cause the water or other liquid in (something) to run out, leaving it empty or dry: we drained the swimming pool cause or allow (liquid) to run off or out of something: fry the pork and drain off* any excess fat* make (land) drier by providing channels for water to flow away in: the land was drained and the boggy ground reclaimed (of a river) carry off the superfluous water from (an area): the stream drains a wide moorland above the waterfall [no object, with adverbial of direction] (of water or another liquid) flow away from, out of, or into something: the river drains into the Pacific figurative Polly felt the blood drain from her face [no object] become dry or drier as liquid runs off or away: dishes left to drain drink the entire contents of (a glass or other container): the stranger drained his glass of beer 2deprive of strength or vitality: his limbs were drained of* all energy* Ruth slumped down in her seat, drained by all that had happened cause (a valuable resource) to be lost or used up: my mother’s hospital bills are draining my income [no object, with adverbial] (of a valuable resource) be lost or used up: votes and campaign funds drained away from the Republican candidate 3 Golf, informal (of a player) hole (a putt): whenever he did hit a green, he drained the putt noun 1a channel or pipe carrying off surplus liquid, especially rainwater or liquid waste. British a frame of metal bars set in a road over the opening to a rainwater channel. a tube for drawing off accumulating fluid from a body cavity or an abscess. Electronics the part of a field-effect transistor to which the charge carriers flow after passing the gate. 2 [in singular] a thing that uses up a particular resource: nuclear power is a serious drain on* the public purse* the continuous loss or expenditure of a particular resource: the drain of talented staff to the United States Phrases go down the drain informal be totally wasted: the government must stop public money going down the drain Origin: Old English drēahnian, drēhnian 'strain (liquid'), of Germanic origin; related to dry		Search results in the dictionary brain drain land drain storm drain ( storm sewer) laugh like a drain in laugh More results » Nearby Words dragon's tail dragon's teeth dragonet dragonfish dragonfly dragonnade dragoon dragster drail drain drainage drainage tube drainboard draincock drainer draining board drainpipe Draize test drake ¹