drawing definition

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈdɹɔː.ɪŋ/
• (US, cot-caught merger) IPA^(key): /ˈdɹɑ.ɪŋ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• (intrusive R) IPA^(key): /ˈdɹɔːɹɪŋ/
• Rhymes: -ɔːɪŋ
• Rhymes: -ɔːɹɪŋ (with intrusive R)

Etymology 1

From Middle English drauinge, drawinge, alteration of earlier drawende, drawand, from Old English dragende, from Proto-Germanic *dragandz (“drawing”), present participle of Proto-Germanic *draganą (“to draw; pull”), equivalent to draw +‎ -ing.

Verb

drawing

1. present participle and gerund of draw

Etymology 2

From Middle English drauing, drawing, equivalent to draw +‎ -ing.

Noun

drawing (countable and uncountable, plural drawings)

1. A picture, likeness, diagram or representation, usually drawn on paper.
   • 2012 March, Brian Hayes, “Pixels or Perish”, in American Scientist‎^[1], volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 19 February 2013, page 106:

     Drawings and pictures are more than mere ornaments in scientific discourse. Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story.

   • 2021 June 30, Tim Dunn, “How we made... Secrets of the London Underground”, in RAIL, number 934, page 50:

     While you see some of our exploration on camera, I also spent many happy hours between shoots with Chris Nix, digging out dozens of wonderful plans, maps and drawings of projects that I never knew existed, and some that never did exist.

2. (uncountable) The act of producing such a picture.
3. Such acts practiced as a graphic art form.
4. The process of drawing or pulling something.

   Proverb: An official is great in his office as a well is rich in drawings of water.

5. An act or event in which the outcome (e.g., designating a winner) is selected by chance in the form of a blind draw, notably of lots; especially such a contest in which a winning name or number is selected randomly by removing (or drawing) it from a container, popularly a hat.
6. A small portion of tea for steeping.
   • 1853, Alice Cary, Clovernook:

     […] the tea-kettle was presently steaming like an engine, and an extra large "drawing of tea" was steeping on the hearth.

Alternative forms

• dwg (abbreviation)

Derived terms

Related terms

• draft
• drawer
• drawn work

Translations

See also

• sketch
• drafter
• draftsman
• drawing room ( shortened from withdrawing)

Anagrams

• Wingard, warding