Drain Meaning

/dɹeɪn/
B1

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

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nounA conduit allowing liquid to flow out of an otherwise contained volume; a plughole (UK)

nounAn access point or conduit for rainwater that drains directly downstream in a (drainage) basin without going through sewers or water treatment in order to prevent or belay floods.

It's money down the drain.
The drain is running freely.
Open the tin and drain the tuna.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
After cooking the pasta, you must ____ it in a colander to remove the water.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It's money down the ____.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dʰer-der. Proto-Indo-European *dʰrewgʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *draugiz Proto-Germanic *drauhnōną Proto-West Germanic *drauhnōn Old English drēahnian Middle English *dreinen English drain Inherited from Middle English *dreinen, from Old English drēahnian, from Proto-West Germanic *drauhnōn, from Proto-Germanic *drauhnōną, from *draugiz, from Proto-Indo-European *dʰrewgʰ-, from *dʰer-. Akin to Old English drūgian (“to dry up”), Old English drūgaþ (“dryness, drought”), Old English drȳġe (“dry”). More at dry.

"An extreme version of vorticity is a vortex. The vortex is a spinning, cyclonic mass of fluid, which can be observed in the rotation of water going down a drain, as well as in smoke rings, tornados and hurricanes." — 2013 March 26, Frank Fish, George Lauder, “Not Just Going with the Flow”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 2, page 114:
"The main drain of the country is the Walé nullah, which afterwards joins the Southern Ngombé and forms part of the system of the Malagarazi." — 1877, Verney Lovett Cameron, Across Africa, page 299:
"When the play was over, we came out together, and I said, "We've been very companionable and agreeable, and perhaps you wouldn't object to a drain?"" — 1850 September 14, [Charles Dickens], “Three “Detective” Anecdotes”, in Charles Dickens, editor, Household Words. A Weekly Journal., volume I, number 25, London: Office, […], →OCLC:
"What did she want with money, except now and then for a drain of white satin." — 1966, Henry Mayhew, Peter Quennell, London's Underworld, page 48:
"Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent." — 1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the page, or |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
After cooking the pasta, you must ____ it in a colander to remove the water.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It's money down the ____.

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