drowned ˈdrau̇nd How to pronounce drown (audio) ; drowning ˈdrau̇-niŋ How to pronounce drown (audio)

intransitive verb

: to become drowned
fell in the river and drowned
chicken drowning in barbecue sauce
drowning in paperwork

transitive verb

1
a
: to suffocate by submersion especially in water
b
: to submerge especially by a rise in the water level
villages drowned by the flooding river
c
: to soak, drench, or cover with a liquid
drowns her French fries in ketchup
2
: to engage (oneself) deeply and strenuously
drowned himself in work
3
: to cause (a sound) not to be heard by making a loud noise
usually used with out
turned up the radio to drown out the noise
4
a
: to drive out (something, such as a sensation or an idea)
drowned his sorrows in liquor
b
: overwhelm
was drowned in homework

Examples of drown in a Sentence

Four people drowned in the flood. She fell in the river and drowned. She claims that he tried to drown her. He tried to drown himself. The river overflowed, drowning whole villages. The food was drowned in sauce. The loud music drowned the sound of their conversation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Downtown flooding became a regularity, including a deadly flood in August 1998 in which two boys drowned. Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024 The initial victim was Brian Jones, a founding member of the Rolling Stones who drowned in his swimming pool in 1969. Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 While enjoying a summer vacation in Greece, a woman noticed a little kitten drowning in the water and didn't think twice before jumping in to save him. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 For organizations drowning in data complexity, this trend offers a lifeline to simplicity and control. 7. Bernard Marr, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for drown 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English drounen

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of drown was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near drown

Cite this Entry

“Drown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drown. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

drown

verb
1
a
: to suffocate in a liquid and especially in water
b
: to become drowned
2
: to cover with water : inundate
3
: to overpower especially with noise
usually used with out
the music was drowned out by shouting

Medical Definition

drown

verb
drowned ˈdrau̇nd How to pronounce drown (audio) ; drowning ˈdrau̇-niŋ How to pronounce drown (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to suffocate in water or some other liquid
2
: to suffocate because of excess of body fluid that interferes with the passage of oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues (as in pulmonary edema)

transitive verb

: to suffocate by submersion especially in water
drowned three kittens

More from Merriam-Webster on drown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!