Drain
/dreɪn/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo remove liquid from something by letting it flow away.
/dreɪn/
To cause the water or liquid in something to flow away
I need to drain the pasta before adding sauce.
💡 Simply: Think of a sink after you wash dishes! You *drain* the water so the dishes can dry. Draining is like letting water escape, usually through a hole.
👶 For kids: To let the water go away, like when you take a bath and pull the plug!
More Examples
He drained the pool for the winter.
She drained the soup of excess fat.
How It's Used
"The plumber drained the bathtub."
"Farmers drain the fields to prevent flooding."
To gradually use up or empty a supply of something such as money, energy, or resources.
/dreɪn/
To draw off or deplete a resource (e.g., energy, money)
The long commute drained him of his energy.
💡 Simply: Imagine your phone's battery! If you play games all day, it *drains* your battery, using up the power. This kind of drain is taking away something valuable slowly.
👶 For kids: To slowly take away something like energy or money, just like a juice box draining when you drink it.
More Examples
The company's poor investments drained its finances.
Her constant negativity drains everyone's mood.
How It's Used
"The war is draining the country's resources."
"The constant demands of the job were draining her energy."
A pipe or channel that carries away wastewater or other liquids.
/dreɪn/
A pipe or channel for carrying away water or other liquids.
The plumber cleared the drain.
💡 Simply: Think of the hole in your sink! That's the *drain*. It's like a special tunnel for water to go away.
👶 For kids: A hole that lets water go away, like in a sink or the bathtub.
More Examples
Leaves often clog the storm drain.
The new building had a modern drainage system.
How It's Used
"The kitchen sink drain was clogged."
"The city is upgrading its storm drain system."
A continuous or gradual loss of something valuable, such as money, resources, or energy.
/dreɪn/
A gradual or progressive loss or depletion.
The constant repairs were a drain on their budget.
💡 Simply: Think about when you're tired and can't focus. That feeling of being worn down is like a *drain* on your energy. It slowly takes something good away.
👶 For kids: When something makes you feel tired or makes your money go away slowly. Like when you play too many video games.
More Examples
The illness was a severe drain on his strength.
This project has been a real drain on my time.
How It's Used
"The constant stress was a drain on her mental health."
"High taxes are a drain on the economy."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
go down the drain
To be completely wasted or lost.
"All our efforts went down the drain because of his mistake."
a drain on
Something that uses a lot of resources, energy, or money
"The hospital is a drain on the country's resources."
From Old English drēahnian, meaning 'to flow out, dry up'. Related to dry.
Historically, 'drain' has been used in both literal and figurative senses. It appears in texts related to engineering, agriculture, and, more figuratively, in discussions of health and finances.
Memory tip
Imagine a pipe removing water. That's a drain!