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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If the bill passes before the year's end, the District can begin drawing up blueprints. Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024 During their stay in Argentina, the San Sebastian and Malaga Festivals will meet representatives of the Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos and Santiago del Estero provinces to work on drawing up a collaboration agreement to promote exchange and relations between Spanish and Argentine cinema. John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024 No mandate exists — though stronger emissions rules could mean automakers would have to sell many more EVs by 2032 or face stiff penalties if those rules weren't changed — but Detroit automakers were part of drawing up those standards. Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024 One of the most controversial measures, question three, requires the City Council to draw up official analyses estimating the financial impact of bills before voting on them. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for draw up 

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 16 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!