# drainage

/ˈdɹeɪnədʒ/ (US) · /dɹˈeɪnɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drainage
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. removal of liquid

noun · CEFR B2

the way that water or other liquids flow away from a place.

For teachers: the process of liquid flowing out of or being removed from a specific area, either naturally or through human intervention.

- The heavy rain caused problems because the soil had very poor drainage.
- The natural drainage of the valley was disrupted by the new housing development, leading to unexpected pooling in the lower fields.

### 2. a system of drains

noun · CEFR B2

the pipes or ditches used to carry water away from a building or an area.

For teachers: the physical infrastructure, including pipes, conduits, and trenches, designed to facilitate the removal of waste water or rainwater.

- The city is investing millions to improve the old drainage under the streets.
- Engineers discovered that the Victorian drainage was insufficient for the modern city's requirements, necessitating a complete overhaul of the subterranean network.

### 3. downward wind

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of wind that blows down a slope or mountain.

For teachers: a katabatic wind that carries high-density air from a higher elevation down a slope under the force of gravity.

- The cold drainage from the mountains made the valley much chillier at night.
- Meteorologists monitored the nocturnal drainage of cold air into the basin, which frequently resulted in localized temperature inversions.

## Examples

- The field has poor drainage and stays wet for days.
- Engineers are improving the city's drainage to handle the heavy rainfall expected during the hurricane season.
- The architect emphasized that without a sophisticated drainage system, the coastal development would be vulnerable to soil erosion and structural instability within a decade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.