Sump vs. Drain — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Sump and Drain
ADVERTISEMENT
Compare with Definitions
Sump
A sump (American English and some parts of Canada: oil pan) is a low space that collects often undesirable liquids such as water or chemicals. A sump can also be an infiltration basin used to manage surface runoff water and recharge underground aquifers.
Drain
To draw off (a liquid) by a gradual process
Drained water from the sink.
Sump
A low-lying place, such as a pit, that receives drainage.
Drain
To cause liquid to go out from; empty
Drained the bathtub.
Drain the pond.
Sump
A cesspool.
ADVERTISEMENT
Drain
To draw off the surface water of
The Mississippi River drains a vast area.
Sump
A hole at the lowest point of a mine shaft into which water is drained in order to be pumped out.
Drain
To drink all the contents of
Drained the cup.
Sump
The crankcase or oil reservoir of an internal-combustion engine.
Drain
To cause (a resource or supply of something) to be used up gradually and often completely.
Sump
A hollow or pit into which liquid drains, such as a cesspool, cesspit or sink.
Drain
To fatigue or spend emotionally or physically
The day's events drained me of energy.
Sump
The lowest part of a mineshaft into which water drains.
Drain
(Sports) To put (a ball or shot) into a hole or basket, as in golf or basketball
Drained the putt for a birdie.
Sump
A completely flooded cave passage, sometimes passable by diving.
Drain
To flow off or out
Gasoline drained slowly from the tilted can.
Sump
(automotive) The crankcase or oil reservoir of an internal combustion engine.
Drain
To become empty by the drawing off of liquid
Watched the tub slowly drain.
Sump
(nautical) The pit at the lowest point in a circulating or drainage system (FM 55-501).
Drain
To discharge surface or excess water
The Niagara River drains into Lake Ontario. When flooded, the swamp drains northward.
Sump
(construction) An intentional depression around a drain or scupper that promotes drainage.
Drain
To become gradually depleted; dwindle
Felt his enthusiasm draining.
Sump
(intransitive) Of a cave passage, to end in a sump, or to fill completely with water on occasion.
We discovered a new passage, but it sumped after 100 metres.
This low passage sumps quickly after moderate rainfall.
Drain
A pipe or channel by which liquid is drawn off.
Sump
A round pit of stone, lined with clay, for receiving the metal on its first fusion.
Drain
(Medicine) A device, such as a tube, inserted into the opening of a wound or body cavity to facilitate discharge of fluid or purulent material.
Sump
The cistern or reservoir made at the lowest point of a mine, from which is pumped the water which accumulates there.
Drain
The act or process of draining.
Sump
A pond of water for salt works.
Drain
A gradual outflow or loss; consumption or depletion
The drain of young talent by emigration.
Sump
A puddle or dirty pool.
Drain
Something that causes a gradual loss
Interruptions that are a drain on my patience.
Sump
An oil reservoir in an internal combustion engine
Drain
A conduit allowing liquid to flow out of an otherwise contained volume; a plughole UK
The drain in the kitchen sink is clogged.
Sump
A well or other hole in which water has collected
Drain
An access point or conduit for rainwater that drains directly downstream in a (drainage) basin without going through sewers or water treatment in order to prevent or belay floods.
Sump
A covered cistern; waste water and sewage flow into it
Drain
Something consuming resources and providing nothing in return.
That rental property is a drain on our finances.
Drain
(vulgar) An act of urination.
Drain
(electronics) One terminal of a field effect transistor (FET).
Drain
(pinball) An outhole.
Drain
A drink.
Drain
(intransitive) To lose liquid.
The clogged sink drained slowly.
Drain
(intransitive) To flow gradually.
The water of low ground drains off.
Drain
To cause liquid to flow out of.
Please drain the sink. It's full of dirty water.
Drain
To convert a perennially wet place into a dry one.
They had to drain the swampy land before the parking lot could be built.
Drain
(transitive) To deplete of energy or resources.
The stress of this job is really draining me.
Drain
(transitive) To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to exhaust.
Drain
To filter.
Drain
To fall off the bottom of the playfield.
Drain
To drink.
Drain
To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to cause the exhaustion of.
Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent.
But it was not alone that the he drained their treasure and hampered their industry.
Drain
To exhaust of liquid contents by drawing them off; to make gradually dry or empty; to remove surface water, as from streets, by gutters, etc.; to deprive of moisture; hence, to exhaust; to empty of wealth, resources, or the like; as, to drain a country of its specie.
Sinking waters, the firm land to drain,Filled the capacious deep and formed the main.
Drain
To filter.
Salt water, drained through twenty vessels of earth, hath become fresh.
Drain
To flow gradually; as, the water of low ground drains off.
Drain
To become emptied of liquor by flowing or dropping; as, let the vessel stand and drain.
Drain
The act of draining, or of drawing off; gradual and continuous outflow or withdrawal; as, the drain of specie from a country; the project is a drain on resources.
Drain
That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink.
Drain
The grain from the mashing tub; as, brewers' drains.
Drain
Emptying accomplished by draining
Drain
Tube inserted into a body cavity (as during surgery) to remove unwanted material
Drain
A pipe through which liquid is carried away
Drain
A gradual depletion of energy or resources;
A drain on resources
A drain of young talent by emmigration
Drain
Flow off gradually;
The rain water drains into this big vat
Drain
Deplete of resources;
The exercise class drains me of energy
Drain
Empty of liquid; drain the liquid from;
We drained the oil tank
Drain
Make weak;
Life in the camp drained him
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Kid vs. YouthNext Comparison
Pacifist vs. Pacificist