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pump
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026 drain /dreɪn/USA pronunciation
v.
to empty by drawing off liquid: [ ~ + object] to drain a swamp. [ ~ + object (+ of + object)] Drain the wound (of blood) before you apply the bandage. [ no object] The crankcase has to drain before you put on the new filter. to empty by drinking:[ ~ + object] to use up the resources of:[ ~ + object (+ of + object ) ] n. [ countable ] a pipe or other device that allows a liquid to drain:The drains are probably clogged. something that causes a large outflow or depletion:These constant doctor bills are a drain on our finances. Idioms
Idioms go down the drain , to become without profit;All my work went down the drain because I didn't have time to finish. drain•er , n. [ countable ]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026 drain
(drān),USA pronunciation v.t.
to withdraw or draw off (a liquid) gradually;to drain oil from a crankcase. to withdraw liquid gradually from;to drain a crankcase. to exhaust the resources of:to drain the treasury. to deprive of strength; v.i.
to flow off gradually. to become empty or dry by the gradual flowing off of liquid or moisture:This land drains into the Mississippi. n.
something, as a pipe or conduit, by which a liquid drains. Surgery a material or appliance for maintaining the opening of a wound to permit free exit of fluids.gradual or continuous outflow, withdrawal, or expenditure. something that causes a large or continuous outflow, expenditure, or depletion:Medical expenses were a major drain on his bank account. an act of draining. [ Physical Geog.] Geography an artificial watercourse, as a ditch or trench.Geography a natural watercourse modified to increase its flow of water.Idioms go down the drain :
to become worthless or profitless. to go out of existence; bef. 1000; Middle English dreynen, Old English drēhnian, drēahnian to strain, filter; akin to dry drain′ a•ble , adj. drain′ er , n.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
drain /dreɪn / n a pipe or channel that carries off water, sewage, etc an instance or cause of continuous diminution in resources or energy; depletion a device, such as a tube, for insertion into a wound, incision, or bodily cavity to drain off pus, etc down the drain ⇒ wasted vb (transitive ) often followed by off : to draw off or remove (liquid) from : to drain water from vegetables , to drain vegetables (intransitive ) often followed by away : to flow (away) or filter (off) (intransitive ) to dry or be emptied as a result of liquid running off or flowing away : leave the dishes to drain (transitive ) to drink the entire contents of (a glass, cup, etc) (transitive ) to consume or make constant demands on (resources, energy, etc); exhaust; sap (intransitive ) to disappear or leave, esp gradually : the colour drained from her face (transitive ) (of a river, etc) to carry off the surface water from (an area) (intransitive ) (of an area) to discharge its surface water into rivers, streams, etc Etymology: Old English drēahnian; related to Old Norse drangr dry wood; see dry