What does "drain" mean?

1. (to remove liquid) to make liquid flow away from something. 2. (to use up resources) to use all of someone's energy, money, or time. 3. (to make a shot) to successfully throw or hit a ball into a hole or basket. 4. (a pipe for waste liquid) a pipe or hole that carries away dirty water or rain. 5. (a waste of resources) something that uses a lot of time, money, or effort without giving anything back. 6. (electronics terminal) one of the three parts of a special type of transistor. 7. (act of urination) a very informal and rude way to talk about urinating.

drain — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01to remove liquid

B1 · Intermediate

v. to make liquid flow away from something.

v. to cause liquid to flow out of a container or area, often by means of a pipe or opening.

“You should drain the pasta thoroughly before adding the sauce.”

“The engineers had to drain the reservoir completely before they could inspect the structural integrity of the dam's lower gates.”

Synonyms

empty clear

Antonyms

fill

02to use up resources

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to use all of someone's energy, money, or time.

v. to deplete a person or organization of resources, energy, or emotional strength.

“Working two jobs really started to drain her energy after a few months.”

“The prolonged legal battle threatened to drain the company's remaining cash reserves, forcing the board to consider a settlement.”

Synonyms

exhaust deplete sap

Antonyms

energize replenish

03to make a shot

C1 · Advanced Sports Slang

v. to successfully throw or hit a ball into a hole or basket.

v. to successfully complete a shot, particularly in basketball or golf.

“He managed to drain a three-pointer right at the end of the game.”

“The rookie showed incredible composure as he drained the final putt to secure his first major tournament victory.”

Synonyms

sink make

Antonyms

miss

04a pipe for waste liquid

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a pipe or hole that carries away dirty water or rain.

n. a conduit or channel designed to carry off surplus liquid or waste water.

“The kitchen drain was blocked with old food and grease.”

“Heavy rainfall caused the storm drains to overflow, flooding the lower levels of the parking garage within minutes.”

Synonyms

pipe outlet sewer

05a waste of resources

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. something that uses a lot of time, money, or effort without giving anything back.

n. a person, thing, or activity that causes a continuous loss of resources.

“The old car was a constant drain on his finances.”

“The ongoing military conflict proved to be a massive drain on the national economy, diverting funds from essential social services.”

Synonyms

burden strain

Antonyms

asset benefit

06electronics terminal

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Computing Technical

n. one of the three parts of a special type of transistor.

n. the terminal in a field-effect transistor (FET) through which the charge carriers leave the channel.

“The technician checked the voltage at the drain of the transistor.”

“In an n-channel MOSFET, electrons flow from the source to the drain when a positive voltage is applied to the gate.”

Antonyms

source

07act of urination

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Vulgar · Slang

n. a very informal and rude way to talk about urinating.

n. a vulgar slang term for the act of urination.

“He stepped behind the bushes for a quick drain.”

“After the long drive, the men were desperate to find a quiet spot for a drain before continuing the journey.”

Synonyms

leak piss

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “drain” in context.

Verb

01. clog the drain

“Be careful not to let hair clog the drain in the shower.”

verb + noun

02. go down the drain

“All their hard work went down the drain when the project was suddenly cancelled.”

verb + prep + noun

03. pose a drain

“The ongoing legal fees pose a significant drain on the company's remaining cash reserves.”

verb + noun

Adjective

04. blocked drain

“The plumber was called to fix a blocked drain in the kitchen.”

adj + noun

05. emotional drain

“Caring for a sick relative can be a massive emotional drain on the entire family.”

adj + noun

Noun

06. brain drain

“The country is facing a serious brain drain as young professionals move abroad for better pay.”

noun + noun

07. drain on resources

“The outdated heating system is a constant drain on our financial resources.”

noun + prep + noun

Preposition

08. down the drain

“Ten years of savings went straight down the drain after the stock market crash.”

prep + noun

Often used in the singular with 'on' when describing a depletion of resources.

“Hawaii's emergency management agency recommended residents clear gutters and drains, move valuables off the ground, seal gaps in doors and remove tree limbs that threaten their properties.”

Phys.org 16 Aug 2026