drainage

noun

drain·​age ˈdrā-nij How to pronounce drainage (audio)
1
: the act, process, or mode of draining
also : something drained off
2
: a device for draining : drain
also : a system of drains
3
: an area or district drained

Examples of drainage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Use plastic or glazed ceramic pots with drainage holes and avoid overcrowding plants in the planter. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026 Pick a spot with partial shade, good drainage, wind protection and enough distance from the house to avoid smells and noise. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026 When replanting a shrub or turfgrass, add compost or aged manure to the area to improve the soil’s fertility, structure, and drainage. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026 Evidence for at-home tools is thinner than for professional manual drainage, but the simplest options can offer mild circulation and surface-lymph support at a low price. — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for drainage

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drainage was in 1652

Browse Nearby Words

drain
drainage
drainage basin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drainage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drainage. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

drainage

noun
drain·​age ˈdrā-nij How to pronounce drainage (audio)
1
a
: the act of draining
b
: something drained off
2
: a method of draining
also : a system of drains

Medical Definition

drainage

noun
drain·​age ˈdrā-nij How to pronounce drainage (audio)
1
: the act or process of drawing off fluids from a cavity or wound by means of suction or gravity
2
: a process of releasing internal conflicts or pent-up feelings (as hostility or guilt)

More from Merriam-Webster on drainage

Nglish: Translation of drainage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drainage

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