drawdown

American  

[draw-doun] / ˈdrɔˌdaʊn /

noun

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

   Drawdowns of up to 90 feet have been recorded in many municipal wells in the area.

2. a reduction or depletion.

   The president announced a drawdown and eventual departure of troops from the region.

   The unprecedented drawdown of natural resources poses enormous challenges worldwide.

3. Stock Exchange. a drop in the value of a stock from its peak to its lowest level over a certain period, usually expressed as a percentage of the peak value.

4. British. the withdrawal of part of an investment, such as a pension or retirement fund, for use as income.

---

drawdown British  

/ ˈdrɔːˌdaʊn /

noun

1. a depletion or reduction, for example of supplies

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

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

---

drawdown Scientific  

/ drô′doun′ /

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

2. 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.

---

Etymology

Origin of drawdown

First recorded in 1780–90; draw + down ¹

Example Sentences

The SPR’s most recent drawdown, covering the week ended May 22, shows a drop of 9.1 million barrels, leaving the reserves at 365 million barrels.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

Including a 9.9 million-barrel drawdown in the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve, total U.S. oil supply just fell by the most in a single week on record, according to Tyler Richey, editor at Sevens Report Technicals.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

On March 31, the stock completed a bearish evening star that triggered a sharp 14% drawdown before finding support with a bullish hammer on April 17.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Japan has been the second-largest contributor to the International Energy Agency’s emergency stock release after the U.S., making available the equivalent of roughly 70 days of Japanese consumption—an enormous drawdown by historical standards.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

By the end of 2011, the last American soldiers had left Iraq; a gradual drawdown of troops was under way in Afghanistan.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama