draw

1 of 2

verb

drew ˈdrü How to pronounce draw (audio) ; drawn ˈdrȯn How to pronounce draw (audio)
ˈdrän
; drawing

transitive verb

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
c
: bring on, provoke
drew enemy fire
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
a(1)
: to produce a likeness or representation of by making lines on a surface
draw a picture
draw a bowl of fruit
draw a graph with chalk
(2)
: to give a portrayal of : delineate
a writer who draws characters well
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

intransitive verb

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
: to create a likeness or a picture in outlines : sketch
loves to paint and draw
not good at drawing
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
drawable adjective

draw

2 of 2

noun

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
6
geology : a gully shallower than a ravine
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
Phrases
draw a bead on
: to take aim at
draw a blank
: to fail to gain a desired object (such as information sought)
also : to be unable to think of something
draw on or draw upon
: to use as a source of supply
drawing on the whole community for support
draw straws
: to decide or assign something by lottery in which straws of unequal length are used
draw the line or draw a line
1
: to fix an arbitrary (see arbitrary sense 1b) boundary between things that tend to intermingle
drawing a line between good and bad art
2
: to fix a boundary excluding what one will not tolerate or engage in
helps clean the house but draws the line at washing windows

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
Verb
See the winning numbers from the Tuesday, March 12, Mega Millions drawing below. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 Biden’s actions have drawn responses from Netanyahu, with the Israeli prime minister using an interview Sunday to push back on the American leader. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Israel’s military campaign into Gaza, waged in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks that killed around 1,200 Israeli civilians, has drawn outcry from progressives over its steep humanitarian toll. Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 When Mexico and New Zealand met in Pasadena in March 2010, the game drew a crowd of 90,526, largest-ever for a MexTour match. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The ongoing backlog has drawn criticism from both sides of the gun law debate. John Woolfolk, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 In French’s newest novel, The Hunter, Cal Hooper is back and again drawn, against his instincts and mine, into a scheme put on by Ardnakelty’s lads. Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 The use of indoor security cameras in Airbnb listings has long drawn frustration from travelers using the platform. Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Following the Oscars, an episode of Abbott Elementary drew the show’s largest same-day audience ever, scoring 6.9 million viewers and a 1.42 rating (1.87 million people) in adults 18-49. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
Snapdragon Stadium’s biggest draw is coming back to San Diego this summer. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024 The original film’s astonishing underwater photography certainly contributes to its appeal, but the oddly human Gill-man is the real draw. Katie Rife, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024 Nearly eight decades later, the Owl Burger remains a draw, but it’s become noticeably more expensive since Covid. Alicia Wallace, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 While most snorkeling spots are prized for their fish sightings, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in The Keys has an additional draw: a statue of Jesus Christ (although the sea life is fantastic, too). Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 This integrated approach is a significant draw for sellers who are tired of juggling multiple platforms and vendors, as repeatedly mentioned in reviews of Why Unified. Tyler Shepherd, Detroit Free Press, 4 Mar. 2024 Some are motivated by Senegal's political turmoil — authorities delayed February’s presidential elections by 10 months — but the sudden draw seemed to hinge largely on social media posts and the spread of the route there. Baba Ahmed, Quartz, 2 Mar. 2024 Pancake Circus serves breakfast all day — and the restaurant’s fluffy pancakes continue to be a big draw. Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024 Superhero movies, which have traditionally been surefire draws, have had spotty performances lately. Samantha Delouya, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'draw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English drawen, dragen, from Old English dragan; akin to Old Norse draga to draw, drag

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of draw was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near draw

Cite this Entry

“Draw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draw. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

draw

1 of 2 verb
drew ˈdrü How to pronounce draw (audio) ; drawn ˈdrȯn How to pronounce draw (audio) ; drawing
1
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
a
: attract, entice
drew a crowd
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
drawable adjective

draw

2 of 2 noun
1
: 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

verb
drew ˈdrü How to pronounce draw (audio) ; drawn ˈdrȯn How to pronounce draw (audio) ; drawing

transitive verb

1
: 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

intransitive verb

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

Legal Definition

draw

verb
drew; drawn; drawing

transitive verb

1
: to compose by random selection
draw a jury
2
: to take (money) from a place of deposit
3
: to write and sign (a draft) in due form for use in making a demand
draw a check
4
: to write out in due form
hired an attorney to draw our wills

intransitive verb

: to make a written demand for payment of money on deposit

More from Merriam-Webster on draw

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