Meaning of drift in English | Powered by Free Dictionary API

drift

Phonetics

/dɹɪft/

noun

(physical) Movement; that which moves or is moved.
The act or motion of drifting; the force which impels or drives; an overpowering influence or impulse.
A place (a ford) along a river where the water is shallow enough to permit crossing to the opposite side.
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.
The horizontal thrust or pressure of an arch or vault upon the abutments.
(handiwork) A tool.
A deviation from the line of fire, peculiar to oblong projectiles.
Minor deviation of audio or video playback from its correct speed.
The situation where a performer gradually and unintentionally moves from their proper location within the scene.
A passage driven or cut between shaft and shaft; a driftway; a small subterranean gallery; an adit or tunnel.
Movement.
A sideways movement of the ball through the air, when bowled by a spin bowler.
Slow, cumulative change.
Example: genetic drift

verb

To move slowly, especially pushed by currents of water, air, etc.
Example: The balloon was drifting in the breeze.
To move haphazardly without any destination.
Example: He drifted from town to town, never settling down.
To deviate gently from the intended direction of travel.
Example: This car tends to drift left at high speeds.
To drive or carry, as currents do a floating body.
To drive into heaps.
Example: A current of wind drifts snow or sand
To accumulate in heaps by the force of wind; to be driven into heaps.
Example: 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.
To enlarge or shape, as a hole, with a drift.
To oversteer a vehicle, causing loss of traction, while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner. See Drifting (motorsport).