drown
verb (used without object)
to die under water or other liquid of suffocation.
had drowned
-
past perfectof drown.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
A coroner has condemned "selfish" drivers after illegally parked cars delayed emergency vehicles from reaching a beach where a 15-year-old girl had drowned.
From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026
The man who found Zac’s body had earlier been wrongly suspected in the death of another young man who had drowned in the Thames.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026
Greek authorities found only two survivors, stating that a further 15 people had drowned.
From Barron's ● Mar. 28, 2026
Mrs. Cotton long ago gave up the idea that Randy had drowned in the Licking River, saying if he had, the body would have been found by now.
From New York Times ● Feb. 8, 2024
Natalie had lost her flashlight and her phone in the flood, and the candles had drowned with everything else.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
