draw up

verb

drew up; drawn up; drawing up; draws up

transitive verb

1
: to bring (a body of troops) into array
2
: to prepare a draft or version of
draw up plans
3
: to bring to a halt
4
: to straighten (oneself) to an erect posture especially as an assertion of dignity or resentment

intransitive verb

: to come to a halt
the car drew up at the door

Examples of draw up in a Sentence

he drew up his horse outside the tavern drew up the troops into a line along the ridge
Recent Examples on the Web Knowing that the Voyager probes are running out of time, scientists have been drawing up plans for a new mission that, if funded and launched by NASA, would send another probe even farther out into the space between stars. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 And conservative interests have drawn up a plan in anticipation of his possible return there. USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 The delegates also vote on laws and bills drawn up in advance by the top leadership. Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 Still a month away, the solar eclipse event has already drawn up a lot of excitement, especially for those in the path of totality, which stretches roughly 115 miles wide. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024 With his team down two points and under 20 seconds on the clock, Dublin coach Tom Costello drew up a play for Stokes to go downhill and tie the game with a shot near the basket. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 Politics in Brief Israel-Hamas war: The Biden administration is drawing up options to formally recognize an independent Palestinian state after Israel’s war in Gaza, a senior administration official said. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Feb. 2024 Survey shows support for expansion Cincinnati Streetcar Forum organizers consulted streetcar riders to draw up their proposals. The Enquirer, 30 Jan. 2024 With Mills down a point with 10 seconds left, coach Justin Matsu drew up a play to get Tang open on a back cut. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of draw up was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near draw up

Cite this Entry

“Draw up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draw%20up. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

draw up

verb
1
: to arrange (as troops) in order
2
: to prepare a draft or version of
draw up plans
3
: to straighten (oneself) to an erect posture
drew himself up angrily and left the room
4
: to bring or come to a stop
the car drew up at the door

More from Merriam-Webster on draw up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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