ENGLISH
REFERENCE

drainage

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈdɹeɪnədʒ// UK //dɹˈeɪnɪdʒ// drainage

n. the system or process that carries away extra water or waste liquid from an area. Good drainage keeps your garden from turning into a swamp after it rains.

n. the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from a given area. Often refers to the infrastructure of pipes and channels designed to prevent flooding or waterlogging.


SIMPLE

The field has poor drainage and stays wet for days.

CONTEXTUAL

Engineers are improving the city's drainage to handle the heavy rainfall expected during the hurricane season.

COMPLEX

The architect emphasized that without a sophisticated drainage system, the coastal development would be vulnerable to soil erosion and structural instability within a decade.

Synonyms
Origin

From drain + -age.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the process or system in general; rarely used in the plural.

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