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Definition drain in American English

drain verb

verb
/dreɪn/

▪ finances, funds, profits, reserves, resources

1

to let liquid flow away from something

Example

After the pasta is cooked, drain it and serve immediately.

Example

All water tanks and pipes should be drained.

Example

Drain all the syrup from the cans.

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1.1

if liquid drains from something, it flows away

Example

Put the sausages on a rack to let the fat drain off.

Example

Rainwater causes flooding when it can't drain away.

Synonyms and related words
2

to get rid of the water in an area of land so that it can be used for farming or building on

Example

The marshes have now been completely drained.

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2.1

if land or soil drains, water flows out of it so that it is not too wet

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3

to drink all the liquid in a container

Example

They all rose and drained their glasses.

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4

to use so much of someone's energy or strength, etc. that they feel very tired or weak

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5

if a feeling drains from you, it goes away so that you do not feel it any more

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6

if the blood or color drains from someone's face, their face quickly becomes very pale, for example because they are shocked

7

to use so much of something such as money or supplies that there is not enough available for other things

Synonyms and related words
Definition drain in American English