drain
- 01 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.
Simple“You should drain the pasta thoroughly before adding the sauce.”
In context“The engineers had to drain the reservoir completely before they could inspect the structural integrity of the dam's lower gates.”
UsageOften used with 'away' or 'off'.
- 02 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.
Simple“Working two jobs really started to drain her energy after a few months.”
In context“The prolonged legal battle threatened to drain the company's remaining cash reserves, forcing the board to consider a settlement.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.to successfully throw or hit a ball into a hole or basket.
v.to successfully complete a shot, particularly in basketball or golf.
Simple“He managed to drain a three-pointer right at the end of the game.”
In context“The rookie showed incredible composure as he drained the final putt to secure his first major tournament victory.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
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.
Simple“The kitchen drain was blocked with old food and grease.”
In context“Heavy rainfall caused the storm drains to overflow, flooding the lower levels of the parking garage within minutes.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The old car was a constant drain on his finances.”
In context“The ongoing military conflict proved to be a massive drain on the national economy, diverting funds from essential social services.”
- 06 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The technician checked the voltage at the drain of the transistor.”
In context“In an n-channel MOSFET, electrons flow from the source to the drain when a positive voltage is applied to the gate.”
Antonyms - 07 C2 Proficiency
n.a very informal and rude way to talk about urinating.
n.a vulgar slang term for the act of urination.
Simple“He stepped behind the bushes for a quick drain.”
In context“After the long drive, the men were desperate to find a quiet spot for a drain before continuing the journey.”
“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.”
“Water management designed to drain floodwater must adapt to retain freshwater as climate-driven droughts become more frequent.”