drawing
Americannoun
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the act of a person or thing that draws.
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a graphic representation by lines of an object or idea, as with a pencil; a delineation of form without reference to color.
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a sketch, plan, or design, especially one made with pen, pencil, or crayon.
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the art or technique of making these.
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something decided by drawing lots; lottery.
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the selection, or time of selection, of the winning chance or chances sold by lottery or raffle.
noun
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a picture or plan made by means of lines on a surface, esp one made with a pencil or pen without the use of colour
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a sketch, plan, or outline
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the art of making drawings; draughtsmanship
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of drawing
A Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; see origin at draw, -ing 1
Explanation
A drawing is a sketch or a picture, usually made with a pencil or pen. You might use extra class time after you've finished a test to make a quick drawing of your teacher sleeping at his desk. A drawing is an artwork that's not a painting — it's made of sketched lines and represents some object, person, or form. An architect might begin working on a project for a house design by doing some drawings, and a kindergartener might proudly hang a drawing of her family on the refrigerator. Another kind of drawing is the act of pulling, which is also the earliest meaning of the word.
Vocabulary lists containing drawing
Lessons 3–4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Even so, manufacturers such as Valhalla Boatworks are already drawing up plans for vessels that will accommodate such power.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
“The Odyssey” continues to be a top attraction for filmgoers, drawing huge crowds on its second weekend.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
“It’s an opportunity for our chefs to share a thoughtful expression of place, often drawing inspiration from Northland’s rich coastal environment and Māori culinary traditions,” says JT Mulry, Culinary Director at Rosewood Kauri Cliffs.
From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026
The crop marks are made by vegetation drawing on better nutrients and water supplies trapped in long-gone fortification ditches - leading to green growth that stands out.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Coding, portrait drawing, and creative writing for teens.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
While Wangchuk is not at the protest site any longer, many of the placards and posters have slogans about his fast and drawings of him.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Rogers Jones Auctioneers are selling Young's original working drawings for his celebrated porcelain.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
A culmination, it incorporates the sinuous lines of the brush drawings with the color blocks of the cut-outs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
The developers will next prepare construction drawings and take other steps in anticipation of breaking ground in about two years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
Here’s one of the first drawings I did.
From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
