drawdown

[ draw-doun ]

/ ˈdrɔˌdaʊn /

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noun

a lowering of water surface level, as in a well.

a reduction or depletion: a drawdown of weapons in an arms-limitation plan.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of drawdown

1780–90, for literal sense; draw + down¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use drawdown in a sentence

Are we going to draw down, or are we going to keep a force there?
‘Homeland’ Creator Talks Season 4’s ‘Reboot,’ Life After Brody, and How ISIS Will Affect the Show|Marlow Stern|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How to ensure U.S. national security is not undermined as we “responsibly” draw down?
America Prepares to Fold in Afghanistan But Must Stay|John Kael Weston|January 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“As budgets draw down, we have no option but to learn to fight smarter with less,” Gates observed recently.
Obama's Secret Wars|John Barry|June 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST
As NATO starts to draw down forces, Pakistan's paranoia about India's role in Afghanistan will expand.
America’s Menacing Pakistan Problem|Bruce Riedel|May 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST

And to hear Joy Behar—Josephina Victoria Behar to give you her full, glorious name—talk about "draw-down" in Iraq.
Obama's Televised Turn-Off|Tunku Varadarajan|July 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST
There let the eternal world be unveiled, and every blessing bring it near in gratitude, and every trial draw down its consolation.
The Hearth-Stone|Samuel Osgood
Many an assault has he already brought upon himself, and is destined, I fear, to draw down many more and heavier.'
Aurelian|William Ware
At dusk draw down the shades and light gas and lamps in hall and drawing-room.
The Expert Maid-Servant|Cristine Terhune Herrick
She went to the window to draw down the blind and as she did so a light fell upon her eyes which gave her a distinct start.
The Fourth Watch|H. A. Cody
Agatha had realised that from the moment when she had seen him draw down the blind again after his wife had drawn it up.
The Flaw in the Crystal|May Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for drawdown

drawdown

/ (ˈdrɔːˌdaʊn) /

noun

a depletion or reduction, for example of supplies

a continuous decline in an investment or fund, usually expressed as a percentage between its highest and lowest levels

the intentional draining of a body of water such as a lake or reservoir, to a given depth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for drawdown

drawdown

[ drô′doun′ ]

A lowering of the water level in a reservoir or other body of water, especially as the result of withdrawal.

The difference in elevation between the level of water in a well and the level of groundwater in the area in which the well is located.

Other Idioms and Phrases with drawdown

draw down

Deplete by consuming or spending, as in The government worries about drawing down our oil reserves.