drift meaning and definition

DRIFT noun

Definition of drift (noun)

1. a force that moves something along
   • synonyms: impetus, impulsion
2. the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)
3. a process of linguistic change over a period of time
4. a large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents
5. a general tendency to change (as of opinion)
   • "not openly liberal but that is the trend of the book"; "a broad movement of the electorate to the right"
   • synonyms: movement, trend
6. the pervading meaning or tenor
   • "caught the general drift of the conversation"
   • synonyms: purport
7. a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine
   • "they dug a drift parallel with the vein"
   • synonyms: gallery, heading

DRIFT verb

Definition of drift (verb)

1. be in motion due to some air or water current
   • "The leaves were blowing in the wind"; "the boat drifted on the lake"; "The sailboat was adrift on the open sea"; "the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore"
   • synonyms: be adrift, blow, float
2. wander from a direct course or at random
   • "The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her"; "don't drift from the set course"
   • synonyms: err, stray
3. move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
   • "The gypsies roamed the woods"; "roving vagabonds"; "the wandering Jew"; "The cattle roam across the prairie"; "the laborers drift from one town to the next"; "They rolled from town to town"
   • synonyms: cast, ramble, range, roam, roll, rove, stray, swan, tramp, vagabond, wander
4. vary or move from a fixed point or course
   • "stock prices are drifting higher"
5. live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely
   • "My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school"
   • synonyms: freewheel
6. move in an unhurried fashion
   • "The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests"
7. cause to be carried by a current
   • "drift the boats downstream"
8. drive slowly and far afield for grazing
   • "drift the cattle herds westwards"
9. be subject to fluctuation
   • "The stock market drifted upward"
10. be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current
    • "snow drifting several feet high"; "sand drifting like snow"