# drain

Pronunciation: say "DRAYN" /dɹeɪn/

## Noun

1. A pipe or channel that carries liquid away from an enclosed space such as a sink or basin. *(Canada, US)*
   - Simple: A pipe or opening that lets water flow out of a sink, tub, or other container.
   - _The drain backed up after weeks of accumulated debris._
   - _Every sink in the house empties through a single drain._
5. Something that continually consumes money, time, or energy while giving nothing in return.
   - Simple: Something that uses up money, time, or energy and gives nothing back.
   - _The failing subsidiary became a serious drain on the parent company's profits._
   - _Long commutes can be a real drain on both time and morale._
6. A natural or man-made watercourse that carries water away from a stretch of land.
   - Simple: A ditch or channel that carries water away from land.
   - _A deep drain channels runoff from the hillside into the river._
   - _Engineers mapped every drain crossing the valley floor._
10. An opening or channel that carries rainwater directly downstream within a drainage basin, bypassing sewers and treatment works, to prevent flooding. *(UK)*
   - Simple: A pipe or opening that carries rainwater straight to a river to help stop flooding.
   - _Engineers inspected the drain to ensure it carried rainwater downstream without overwhelming the sewers._
   - _Surface drains channel runoff into the basin, reducing the flood risk on low-lying roads._
12. An instance of urinating.
   - Simple: An act of peeing.
   - _He excused himself for a drain between innings._
   - _After several pints, he badly needed a drain._
13. One of the terminals of a field-effect transistor, through which current exits the device's channel.
   - Simple: A part of a transistor where the electric current leaves.
   - _The engineer measured the voltage between the drain and the source._
   - _In this layout, the drain ties to the positive supply rail._
16. On a pinball machine, the opening at the bottom of the playfield through which the ball leaves play.
   - Simple: The hole at the bottom of a pinball table where the ball goes out of play.
   - _The ball slipped past the flippers and dropped into the drain._
   - _She nudged the table to steer the ball away from the drain._

## Verb

2. To cause liquid to flow out of a container, pipe, or enclosed space.
   - Simple: To make the liquid inside something flow out.
   - _Drain the radiator completely before replacing the coolant._
   - _The technician drained the fuel tank for inspection._
3. To gradually lose the liquid that something contains as it flows away.
   - Simple: To lose the liquid inside as it flows away.
   - _The flooded basement finally began to drain after the pump arrived._
   - _Wet boots will drain faster near a warm vent._
4. To gradually use up a person's energy, money, or other resources until little remains.
   - Simple: To slowly use up someone's energy, money, or strength.
   - _Months of caregiving drained him both emotionally and financially._
   - _Endless meetings drain the team's motivation._
7. To remove the water from a permanently wet area so that it becomes dry.
   - Simple: To take the water out of wet land so it becomes dry.
   - _Settlers drained the marsh to create farmland._
   - _The project will drain hundreds of acres of bog._
8. To flow away little by little, moving off slowly rather than all at once.
   - Simple: To move or flow away slowly, bit by bit.
   - _Meltwater drained down the mountainside in thin rivulets._
   - _Blood seemed to drain from his face as he read the letter._
9. To draw off a liquid little by little so that it flows out gradually; by extension, to use something up or exhaust it.
   - Simple: To slowly remove the liquid from something, or to use up its energy or resources.
   - _Engineers drain the reservoir before inspecting its concrete walls._
   - _The endless paperwork drained her enthusiasm for the project._
11. To successfully make a shot, as in basketball, sinking the ball cleanly through the basket. *(slang)*
   - Simple: To score by making a shot, especially by sending the ball through the hoop.
   - _He drained a long three-pointer at the buzzer._
   - _Great shooters drain contested jumpers without hesitation._
15. Of the ball, to fall off the bottom of the playfield and out of play.
   - Simple: When a pinball falls off the bottom of the table and you lose it.
   - _Two balls drain through the outlanes before the bonus even starts._
   - _His final ball drained without scoring a single point._

## Noun

14. A drink, especially an alcoholic one. *(dated, UK)*
   - Simple: Something you drink, often beer or another alcoholic drink.
   - _The lads stopped for a quick drain on the way home._
   - _He fancied a drain or two before the darts match._

## Verb

17. To drink, especially to consume a beverage in full. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: To drink something, often all of it.
   - _The soldiers drained their flagons before the march resumed._
   - _He would drain a pint of ale before any other man finished his first._
18. To filter a liquid, removing solid pieces by passing it through a strainer or cloth. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To filter a liquid to remove bits from it.

## Origin

From Middle English dreinen, from Old English drēahnian ("to drain, strain, filter"), tracing back through Proto-Germanic roots linked to the idea of being dry or parched. It is akin to Old English words for drying up and dryness, and is related to "dry."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/drain (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).