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.

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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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of drawdown

First recorded in 1780–90; draw + down ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

drawdown

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the U.S. had arranged to replace the 172 million barrels of SPR oil with about 200 million barrels within the next year, which is 20% more than the drawdown.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026

Describing it as a “high-volatility bounce after a drawdown within a primary uptrend,” he says that, in the past, this dynamic has delivered generally poor returns for the SOX in the following weeks.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026

Bitcoin is trapped in its current drawdown and fell below $60,000 for the first time since 2024 earlier this week, while the dollar index traded at the highest levels in more than 13 months.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

The trade-off for the shock absorption is that in a deep, sustained downturn, your portfolio will be exposed to more drawdown than a stricter rule would allow.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 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