/ draʊn; NAmE / verb
1.
to die because you have been underwater too long and you cannot breathe; to kill sb in this way :
[ v ]
Two children drowned after falling into the river.
He had attempted to rescue the drowning man.
[ vn ]
She tried to drown herself.
He was drowned at sea.
They had drowned the unwanted kittens.
2.
[ vn ] drown sth (in sth) to make sth very wet; to completely cover sth in water or another liquid
SYN drench :
The fruit was drowned in cream.
3.
[ vn ] drown sb/sth (out) ( of a sound ) to be louder than other sounds so that you cannot hear them :
She turned up the radio to drown out the noise from next door.
► drown·ing noun [ U , C ]:
death by drowning
Alcohol plays a part in an estimated 30% of drownings.
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IDIOMS
- drown your fears / loneliness / sorrows, etc.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (originally northern): related to Old Norse drukkna to be drowned, also to drink .