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

For instance, in 2010, a 2-year-old boy fatally shot himself with a gun his mother had left in a dresser drawer, forgetting to put it in her lockbox. —John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024

For others, gawping at the sheer volume and opulence of Ertegun’s stuff is its own illicit thrill, like rifling through the bedroom drawers of a hostess at a dinner party. —The Editors, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024

Even more potent is putting the credit card away in a drawer or in a block of ice for the week. —Bernadette Joy, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Buyers now have a large flat bed for carrying cargo, along with a large rear drawer and two to four under-bed storage lockers on the sides. —New Atlas, 26 Nov. 2024

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

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