drainage

American  

[drey-nij] / ˈdreɪ nɪdʒ /

noun

drainages plural

1. the act or process of draining.

2. a system of drains, artificial or natural.

3. drainage basin.

4. something that is drained off.

5. Surgery. the drainage of fluids, as bile, urine, etc., from the body, or of pus and other diseased products from a wound.

---

drainage British  

/ ˈdreɪnɪdʒ /

noun

1. the process or a method of draining

2. a system of watercourses or drains

3. liquid, sewage, etc, that is drained away

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overdrainage
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• drainages
  plural

Etymology

Origin of drainage

First recorded in 1645–55; drain + -age

Example Sentences

They expanded the requirements needed in concept plans, including detailed disclosures on water sourcing, energy use and infrastructure, environmental and drainage impacts.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

Yoshitaka Isaji said the passage used in rescue efforts on Saturday was currently impassable because a drainage pump had broken, but repair efforts were ongoing.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

"They needed to fix the drainage and not just paint it blue to make it look bright."

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

The floors are plastic, punctuated with holes, presumably for drainage.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

The car was late meeting us—the driver had to avoid an unexpected patrol—Paul and I stood for half an hour shivering and stamping around in the drainage ditch where we hid the bicycle.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• sewerage