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Glite Dictionary
💧 To remove liquid 💧 Emptying liquid 😩 To use up energy 🚰 A water pipe ⬇️ A slow loss 🩺 A medical tube
to drain

to drain

198 1.0
To let liquid flow away from something
  • verb
  • /dreɪn/
translation icon : drenar
  • Before serving the vegetables, please drain any excess water from the pot.
  • drain water
  • well-drained
  • poorly drained

And you don't drain it, you strain it.

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Examples

  • The area has since been drained and farmed for over 100 years.

    Academic text (2008)

  • And because they used the water, the river drained, thousands of fish died.

  • Once done, drain and return to the pot to steam dry.

  • So why is water draining out to that level?

  • When you cook a burger, all the bad stuff drains down into the grill.

    October Baby (2011)

  • Initially, Paris developed its sewer system to drain directly into its waterways.

    Academic text (2011)

  • There are restrictions on how low a reservoir can be drained, and there is no control over rainfall levels.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Make sure to drain the pasta well before adding the sauce.

  • After the rain stops, water will slowly drain away from the streets.

Synonyms

to flush out
vsto drain
51 4.5

Force unwanted people or things out of a place, often using water

is the neutral removal of liquid, not specifically forcing out objects
to siphon
vsto drain
43 6.0

To move liquid from one container to another using a tube and gravity

is the general act that can use many methods, not just siphoning
to tap
vsto drain
32 1.1

To take liquid from a container or tree

is the general act of making liquid leave, not just tapping a source
to run out
vsto drain
28 1.3

Water or other liquid flows out of a container by accident

also describes deliberate emptying or controlled removal of liquid
to pump out
vsto drain
23 3.2

To remove liquid with a pump or make many things quickly

is the broader term covering pumping and nonmechanical letting away
to pour out
vsto drain
22 2.9

Make liquid flow out of a container

is broader and can mean either letting liquid leave or removing it
to suck out
vsto drain
16 4.5

Pull something out of a place by using air to draw it in

is the general allowing or removing of liquid, not only suction based
to flow out
vsto drain
16 2.9

Move or pour out in a steady stream, often a liquid

is used when liquid is actively taken away or allowed to leave
to bleed
vsto drain
  • Specialized
9 4.9

To remove air or liquid from a machine so it works

is a more general removal, not only for maintenance purposes
to run off
vsto drain
7 2.9

Flow away from a surface into drains or rivers

can mean active removal rather than just being lost as waste
to pump water
vsto drain
7 1.6

Move water from one place to another using a machine

is not limited to mechanical methods and includes letting flow
to siphon off
vsto drain
2 6.6

To move liquid or money from one place to another slowly and often secretly

is the neutral cleaning away, not implying secrecy or gradual theft
to flow away
vsto drain
1 3.2

Water moves away slowly in a steady stream

is used for intentional removal as well as natural gradual movement
to draw off
vsto drain
1 4.9

To take liquid from a container by pouring or draining for testing

is the general action, not only the specific act of sampling
to dewater
vsto drain
  • Specialized
1 6.8

To remove water from a flooded place by pumping or draining

expresses the same clearing idea but in simpler, everyday terms
to sluice
vsto drain
  • Specialized
1 7.4

To let water flow through a gate to move or wash things away

is broader and applies to many ways of letting water leave
to siphon water
vsto drain
1 5.2

To move water through a tube from one place to another by letting it flow down

is broader and covers other removal methods besides tube transfer
to flow off
vsto drain
3.2

To move away from a surface in a steady stream, like water does

also covers deliberate clearing away, not only gradual movement

Antonyms

to fill
∞ 1.0

To make a place full by putting people or things into it

Idioms

to drain the swamp
  • US
6 7.9

To remove corruption and waste from a government or company

money down the drain
  • Informal
2 4.2

Money people waste when they make a bad choice

Phrasal Verbs

to drain resources
2 4.6

To use up the money or help someone needs

to drain the cup
1 6.9

To drink all the liquid in a cup

to pour down the drain
  • Informal
6.0

Lose money, time, or effort by wasting it so it cannot be used

Compounds

storm drain
18 3.0

A pipe under the street that carries away rainwater

brain drain
5 4.2

The leaving of skilled or well educated people from a country to work abroad for better jobs

drain system
1 3.2

Pipes and channels that carry away extra water from an area

drain basket
2.8

A small basket in a sink that catches food scraps while water flows through

trap-and-drain auger
  • Specialized
8.8

A tool with a long flexible wire that clears blockages in drains

stormwater drain
  • Specialized
2.7

A pipe or channel that carries rainwater away from streets and buildings

How Fast

to siphon
43 6.0
to drain
198 1.0
to leak
212 1.0
to seep
82 2.7

Surface Forms

drain infinitive
drained past
drained past participle
draining present participle
drains third person singular

Etymology

The verb drain comes from an old idea of 'drawing off' liquid, which gives the clear meaning 'to let liquid flow out' or 'to flow away'. This is why we say water will drain from a sink or field.