drown 
/ˈdraʊn/ verb
drowns; drowned; drown·ing /ˈdraʊn/ verb 1 a [no obj] : to die by being underwater too long and unable to breathe
▪ Four people drowned in the flood. ▪ She fell in the river and drowned.
b [+ obj] : to hold (a person or animal) underwater until death occurs
▪ She claims that he tried to drown her. ▪ He tried to drown himself. 2 [+ obj] : to cover (something) completely with a liquid
▪ The river overflowed, drowning whole villages. ▪ The food was drowned in sauce. 3 [+ obj] : to cause (something or someone) not to be heard by making a loud noise
▪ The loud music drowned the sound of their conversation. — usually + out ▪ Noise from the passing airplane drowned out our conversation. ▪ He talked loudly to try to drown her out. 4 : to experience or be affected by too much of something : to be overwhelmed by something — usually + in [no obj] ▪ Many young people today are drowning in credit card debt. ▪ She was drowning in sadness. [+ obj] ▪ I'm being drowned in paperwork. [=I'm being overwhelmed by paperwork] 5 [+ obj] : to forget about (unpleasant feelings or thoughts) by getting drunk
▪ He went to the bar to drown his sorrows. ▪ He was trying to drown his fears. [=to get drunk so that he wouldn't be afraid]
▪ Four people drowned in the flood. ▪ She fell in the river and drowned.
b [+ obj] : to hold (a person or animal) underwater until death occurs
▪ She claims that he tried to drown her. ▪ He tried to drown himself.
▪ The river overflowed, drowning whole villages. ▪ The food was drowned in sauce.
▪ The loud music drowned the sound of their conversation. — usually + out ▪ Noise from the passing airplane drowned out our conversation. ▪ He talked loudly to try to drown her out.
▪ He went to the bar to drown his sorrows. ▪ He was trying to drown his fears. [=to get drunk so that he wouldn't be afraid]
— drowning noun, plural drownings [count, noncount]
