# draining

/ˈdɹeɪnɪŋ/ (US) · /dɹˈeɪnɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. exhausting

adjective · CEFR B2

making you feel very tired or taking away all your mental energy.

For teachers: causing a significant depletion of physical or emotional energy; mentally or physically exhausting.

- It was a long and draining day at the office with too many meetings.
- The constant emotional demands of the role proved incredibly draining, eventually leading the manager to seek a less stressful position.

### 2. liquid flowing away

verb · CEFR B1

the act of liquid flowing out of something until it is empty.

For teachers: the present participle of 'drain', describing the continuous process of liquid being drawn off or flowing away from a container or area.

- The water is slowly draining from the sink after I cleared the pipe.
- By draining the flooded fields into the nearby canal, the farmers managed to save a significant portion of the autumn harvest.

### 3. the process of emptying

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the process or system of moving liquid away from a place.

For teachers: the action or method by which something is emptied or liquid is removed; often used in technical or agricultural contexts.

- The draining of the swamp took several months to complete.
- The rapid draining of the reservoir caused concern among local environmentalists regarding the impact on the native fish population.

### 4. exploring sewers

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Slang

the hobby of exploring underground tunnels or pipes.

For teachers: the practice of exploring man-made underground structures such as drains, sewers, or storm tunnels.

- He joined a group of people who enjoy draining in the old parts of the city.
- Draining remains a controversial subculture of urban exploration due to the significant safety risks and legal issues involved in entering storm systems.

## Examples

- The long meeting was quite draining.
- Caring for a sick relative can be emotionally draining.
- The relentless pace of modern urban life often proves draining to those who crave quiet and solitude.

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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.