drainage
UK: ˈdreɪnɪdʒ | US: ˈdreɪnɪdʒ
n. the process or system of removing excess liquid or waste from an area
n. the liquid or waste that is removed by such a process
n. (Medicine) the gradual removal of fluid from a wound or body cavity
The word "drainage" combines "drain," derived from Old English drēahnian (to draw off liquid), with the suffix "-age," borrowed from Old French -age, denoting an action or its result. The root "drain" originally referred to the gradual removal of water, while "-age" systematized the concept into a process or outcome. Over time, "drainage" expanded from agricultural contexts (e.g., field drainage) to medical and urban infrastructure uses, reflecting its core logic of controlled liquid removal.
Proper drainage prevents flooding in urban areas during heavy rains.
The surgeon ensured adequate drainage from the patient’s postoperative wound.
Farmers improved crop yields by installing a subsurface drainage system.
The city’s outdated drainage infrastructure struggles with monsoon seasons.
Environmentalists study wetland drainage to assess ecological impacts.