1
: to cause to move continuously toward or after a force applied in advance : pull
draw your chair up by the fire
: such as
a
: to move (something, such as a covering) over or to one side
draw the drapes
b
: to pull up or out of a receptacle or place where seated or carried
draw water from the well
drew a gun
also
: to cause to come out of a container or source
draw water for a bath
the nurse drew a blood sample
the wound drew blood
2
: to cause to go in a certain direction (as by leading)
drew him aside
3
a
: to bring by inducement or allure : attract
honey draws flies
b
: to bring in or gather from a specified group or area
a college that draws its students from many states
d
: to bring out by way of response : elicit
drew cheers from the audience
e
sports
: to receive in the course of play
The batter drew a walk.
draw a foul
4
: inhale
drew a deep breath
5
a
: to extract the essence from
draw tea
b
: eviscerate
plucking and drawing a goose before cooking
c
: to derive to one's benefit
drew inspiration from the old masters
6
nautical
: to require (a specified depth) to float in
a ship that draws 12 feet of water
7
a
: accumulate, gain
drawing interest
b
: to take (money) from a place of deposit
drew $100 from the bank
c
: to use in making a cash demand
drawing a check against his account
d
: to receive regularly or in due course
draw a salary
8
a
card games
: to take (cards) from a stack or from the dealer
draw four cards
b
: to receive or take at random
drew a winning number
9
archery
: to bend (a bow) by pulling back the string
drew the bow and aimed at the target
10
: to cause to shrink, contract, or tighten
draw your knees into your chest
Her face was drawn with pain.
11
sports
a
: to strike (a ball) so as to impart a backward spin
b
golf
: to strike (a ball) so that a slight to moderate hook (see hook entry 1 sense 3) results
12
: to leave (a contest) undecided : tie
drew the game 3–3
13
b
: to write out in due form
draw a will
c
: to design or describe in detail : formulate
draw comparisons
14
: to infer from evidence or premises
draw a conclusion
15
: to spread or elongate (metal) by hammering or by pulling through dies
also
: to shape (a material, such as plastic) by stretching or by pulling through dies
1
: to come or go steadily or gradually
night draws near
2
a
: to move something by pulling
drawing at the well
b
: to exert an attractive force
the play is drawing well
3
a
archery
: to pull back a bowstring
b
: to bring out a weapon
drew, aimed, and fired
4
a
: to produce a draft
the chimney draws well
draw on a cigar
b
nautical
: to swell out in a wind
all sails drawing
5
a
: to wrinkle or tighten up : shrink
b
: to change shape by pulling or stretching
6
medical
: to cause blood or pus to localize at one point
7
8
: to come out even in a contest
they drew 3–3
9
a
: to make a written demand for payment of money on deposit
b
: to obtain resources (as of information)
drawing from a common fund of knowledge
1
: the act or process of drawing (see draw entry 1) : such as
a
: a sucking pull on something held with the lips
took a long draw on her cigarette
b
: a removal of a handgun from its holster
quick on the draw
c
: backward spin given to a ball by striking it below center compare follow
2
: something that is drawn: such as
a
: a lot or chance drawn at random
the only grand prize winner of the lottery draw
b
: the selection of competitors in a sports event
also
: the arrangement of competitors in a sporting event by order drawn
the draw for a tennis tournament
c
: a card drawn to replace a discard in poker
d
: the movable part of a drawbridge
3
: a contest left undecided or deadlocked : tie
4
: one that draws attention or patronage (see patronage sense 4) : attraction
Their band is the main draw at the festival.
5
archery
a
: the distance from the string to the back of a drawn bow (see bow entry 3 sense 2)
b
: the force required to draw a bow fully
7
: the deal in draw poker to improve the players' hands after discarding
8
football
: a play that simulates a pass play so a runner can go straight up the middle past the pass rushers
9
golf
: a slight to moderate and usually intentional hook (see hook entry 1 sense 3)
10
: a face-off in ice hockey
won the draw and knocked the puck backward
Synonyms
Examples of draw in a Sentence
Verb
The computer can draw the graph for you.
Students drew maps of the states and labeled them.
She sat down and began to draw.
The case has drawn attention to the fact that many athletes never graduate.
I would like to draw your attention to the third line.
The band always draws a large crowd.
The college draws students from around the world.
The animals were drawn to the campsite by the smell of food.
We hope the display in the window will draw customers in from the street.
The lure of city life has drawn away many of the town's young people.
Noun
Their band is the main draw at the festival.
The festival is always a big draw.
Recent Examples on the Web
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024
The sisters drew inspiration from resorts like the Biltmore Estate, Grove Park Inn and The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
—Katie Peralta Soloff, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Vogue Club, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
—Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for draw 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
This record of dominance is what drew Hailey D’Lynn Smith, a Texas native who transferred from Trinity Valley Community College in 2023.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024
The sisters drew inspiration from resorts like the Biltmore Estate, Grove Park Inn and The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
—Katie Peralta Soloff, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
All qualifying entrants will be placed in a free prize draw.
—Vogue Club, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
—Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for draw
Dictionary Entries Near draw
Cite this Entry
“Draw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draw. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
draw
1 of 2 verb1
a
: to cause to move by pulling : cause to follow
b
: to pull up or to one side
draw the curtains
c
: to pull up or out
drew water from the well
draw a gun
d
: to cause to come out of a container or source
draw water for a bath
2
: to move or go steadily or gradually
day was drawing to a close
3
b
: provoke sense 2
drew criticism
c
: to bring on as a response
drew cheers from the crowd
4
: inhale sense 1
drew a deep breath
5
a
: to cause (as the contents or essence) to come forth
brine draws moisture and sugars from the cucumbers
b
: eviscerate
drawn and plucked chickens
6
: to need (a specified depth) to float in
the boat draws three feet of water
7
a
: accumulate sense 1, gain
drawing interest
b
: to take money from a place of deposit : withdraw
c
: to receive regularly from a source
draw a salary
8
a
: to take (cards) from a stack or from the dealer
b
: to receive or take at random
drew a winning number
9
: to bend (a bow) by pulling back the string
10
: to cause to shrink or pucker
11
: to leave (a contest) undecided : tie
12
a
: to produce a likeness of by making lines on a surface
draw a picture
the computer can draw a graph on the screen
b
: to write out in proper form
draw up a will
c
: to describe in words
a writer who draws characters well
13
: deduce sense 1a
draw a conclusion
14
: to stretch or spread by or as if by pulling
some metals can be drawn out to form wire
15
: to produce a draft of air
the chimney draws well
draw
2 of 2 noun1
: the act or result of drawing
2
: a tie contest or game
3
: something that draws attention
4
: a gully shallower than a ravine
Medical Definition
draw
verb1
: to cause to move toward or localize in a surface
using a poultice to draw inflammation to a head
especially
: to cause (an unwanted element) to depart (as from the body or a lesion)
this will help draw the poison
2
: inhale
she drew a deep breath
3
: to remove the viscera of : eviscerate
1
: to cause local congestion : induce blood or other body fluid to localize at a particular point : be effective as a blistering agent or counterirritant
—used of a poultice and comparable means of medication
2
of a lesion
: to become localized
—used in the phrase draw to a head
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