drawer

noun

draw·​er ˈdrȯ(-ə)r 

1

: one that draws: such as

a

: a person who causes liquor to come out of a container : one who draws (see draw entry 1 sense 1b) liquor

b

: draftsman

c

: one that draws (see draw entry 1 sense transitive 7) a bill of exchange or order for payment or makes a promissory note

2

 dialectal also  ˈdrȯ

: a sliding box or receptacle opened by pulling out and closed by pushing in

kept the letters in the top drawer of her dresser

in the silverware drawer

3

 dialectal also  ˈdrȯ

drawers plural : an article of clothing (such as underwear) for the lower body

a clean pair of drawers

drawerful

ˈdrȯ(-ə)r-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Examples of drawer in a Sentence

the top drawer of the desk

There are some pens in my desk drawer.

He stood there in only his drawers.

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to the garlic, throw in other alliums, like onions or leeks, and whatever’s hanging around your crisper drawer, like carrots or ginger. —Emma Laperruque, Bon Appétit, 25 Feb. 2025

His desk was at the end of a long conference table in the photo department and the drawers were always locked. —Jeff Siner, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2025

Reduce Food Waste Another handy way to keep your produce fresh for as long as possible is to line your refrigerator's crisper drawer with paper towels. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2025

Place lettuce away from the front of the fridge, ideally in a crisper drawer, to help keep its climate fairly stable, even when the door opens and closes. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English drawer, draghere, from drawen "to draw entry 1" + -er, -ere -er entry 2

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing drawer

• bottom drawer
• top drawer

Rhymes for drawer

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

drawer

noun

draw·​er ˈdrȯ(-ə)r 

1

: one that draws

2

: a sliding boxlike compartment (as in a desk)

3

plural : an undergarment for the lower part of the body

Legal Definition

drawer

noun

draw·​er ˈdrȯ-ər 

: the party that draws a draft compare drawee, payee