drift (Meaning)
drift (n)
a force that moves something along
the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)
a process of linguistic change over a period of time
a large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents
a general tendency to change (as of opinion)
the pervading meaning or tenor
a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine
drift (v)
be in motion due to some air or water current
wander from a direct course or at random
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
vary or move from a fixed point or course
live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely
move in an unhurried fashion
cause to be carried by a current
drive slowly and far afield for grazing
be subject to fluctuation
be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current
drift (n.)
A driving; a violent movement.
The act or motion of drifting; the force which impels or drives; an overpowering influence or impulse.
Course or direction along which anything is driven; setting.
The tendency of an act, argument, course of conduct, or the like; object aimed at or intended; intention; hence, also, import or meaning of a sentence or discourse; aim.
That which is driven, forced, or urged along
Anything driven at random.
A mass of matter which has been driven or forced onward together in a body, or thrown together in a heap, etc., esp. by wind or water; as, a drift of snow, of ice, of sand, and the like.
A drove or flock, as of cattle, sheep, birds.
The horizontal thrust or pressure of an arch or vault upon the abutments.
A collection of loose earth and rocks, or boulders, which have been distributed over large portions of the earth's surface, especially in latitudes north of forty degrees, by the agency of ice.
In South Africa, a ford in a river.
A slightly tapered tool of steel for enlarging or shaping a hole in metal, by being forced or driven into or through it; a broach.
A tool used in driving down compactly the composition contained in a rocket, or like firework.
A deviation from the line of fire, peculiar to oblong projectiles.
A passage driven or cut between shaft and shaft; a driftway; a small subterranean gallery; an adit or tunnel.
The distance through which a current flows in a given time.
The angle which the line of a ship's motion makes with the meridian, in drifting.
The distance to which a vessel is carried off from her desired course by the wind, currents, or other causes.
The place in a deep-waisted vessel where the sheer is raised and the rail is cut off, and usually terminated with a scroll, or driftpiece.
The distance between the two blocks of a tackle.
The difference between the size of a bolt and the hole into which it is driven, or between the circumference of a hoop and that of the mast on which it is to be driven.
One of the slower movements of oceanic circulation; a general tendency of the water, subject to occasional or frequent diversion or reversal by the wind; as, the easterly drift of the North Pacific.
The horizontal component of the pressure of the air on the sustaining surfaces of a flying machine. The lift is the corresponding vertical component, which sustains the machine in the air.
drift (v. i.)
To float or be driven along by, or as by, a current of water or air; as, the ship drifted astern; a raft drifted ashore; the balloon drifts slowly east.
To accumulate in heaps by the force of wind; to be driven into heaps; as, snow or sand drifts.
to make a drift; to examine a vein or ledge for the purpose of ascertaining the presence of metals or ores; to follow a vein; to prospect.
drift (v. t.)
To drive or carry, as currents do a floating body.
To drive into heaps; as, a current of wind drifts snow or sand.
To enlarge or shape, as a hole, with a drift.
drift (a.)
That causes drifting or that is drifted; movable by wind or currents; as, drift currents; drift ice; drift mud.
Synonyms & Antonyms of drift
drift Sentence Examples
- The boat drifted aimlessly in the middle of the ocean, its sails hanging limply.
- Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, creating a winter wonderland.
- The scent of jasmine drifted through the air, filling the room with a sweet fragrance.
- The days drifted by, one blending into the next, as I waited for news.
- The clouds drifted lazily across the sky, casting long shadows on the ground below.
- The leaves drifted to the ground, signaling the arrival of autumn.
- The raft drifted down the river, carrying its passengers to their destination.
- The memories of that day drifted back to me, bringing a smile to my face.
- The smoke from the campfire drifted upwards, disappearing into the night sky.
- The glider drifted through the air, carried by the gentle breeze.
FAQs About the word drift
a force that moves something along, the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane), a process of linguistic chang
glide, sail,flow, coast, stream, brush, sweep, rush, fly, speed
struggle, stumble,struggle, limp, flounder, flounder, limp, stumble, stamp, shuffle
The boat drifted aimlessly in the middle of the ocean, its sails hanging limply.
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, creating a winter wonderland.
The scent of jasmine drifted through the air, filling the room with a sweet fragrance.
The days drifted by, one blending into the next, as I waited for news.
