Definition

1. Noun:
   • A ditch for carrying off excess water or sewage: A "drainage ditch" is a man-made trench or channel designed to remove surplus water (such as stormwater, groundwater, or agricultural runoff) or wastewater from an area to prevent flooding, waterlogging, or stagnation.

Usage

• The primary function of a drainage ditch is to control water flow and manage surface or subsurface water.
• It is a common feature in agricultural, urban, and roadside landscapes.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer dug a drainage ditch along the edge of the field to prevent the crops from flooding.
  • After the heavy rain, the water flowed quickly into the roadside drainage ditch.
  • The city's maintenance crew cleared debris from the drainage ditch to ensure proper water flow.

Advanced Usage

• "To channel into a drainage ditch": To direct or convey water into such a ditch.
  • The engineers designed the system to channel all runoff into a central drainage ditch.
• "Drainage ditch system/network": Refers to an interconnected series of such ditches.
  • The effectiveness of the farmland depends on its extensive drainage ditch network.

Variants and Related Words

• Ditch (n): A general term for a narrow channel dug in the ground, often used for drainage or irrigation.
• Culvert (n): A structure that allows water to flow under a road, railroad, or other obstacle; often connected to or part of a drainage system.
• Trench (n): A long, narrow ditch. While often associated with excavation or military use, it can also refer to a deep drainage channel.

Synonyms

• Watercourse: A natural or artificial channel through which water flows.
• Conduit: A channel for conveying water or other fluid.
• Gutter: A shallow channel at the side of a road, but typically part of an urban drainage system.

Related Phrases

• Drainage system: The overall infrastructure for removing excess water, which includes ditches, pipes, and culverts.
  • The new subdivision required a comprehensive drainage system.
• Storm drain: A specific type of drainage infrastructure, often a grate or pipe system, for carrying away rainwater.

Notes

• A "drainage ditch" is specifically engineered for water removal. It is distinct from a simple trench or a natural waterway like a stream.
• The term is often used in civil engineering, agriculture, and land management contexts.

Noun

1. a ditch for carrying off excess water or sewage