<p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to die under water or other liquid of suffocation.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to kill by submerging under water or other liquid.</li><li>to destroy or get rid of by, or as if by, immersion: He drowned his sorrows in drink.</li><li>to flood or inundate.</li><li>to overwhelm so as to render inaudible, as by a louder sound (often followed by out).</li><li>to add too much water or liquid to (a drink, food, or the like).</li><li>to slake (lime) by covering with water and letting stand.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb phrase</strong></p><ul><li>to be overwhelmed by: The company is drowning in bad debts.</li><li>to be covered with or enveloped in: The old movie star was drowning in mink.</li></ul>