Phrase guide

dry well

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈdɹaɪˌwɛl/

1

noun

Meaning 1

An underground structure (for example, a pit filled with gravel) that disposes of unwanted water (most commonly surface runoff and stormwater and in some cases greywater) by holding it and dissipating it into the groundwater.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: business, civil-engineering, construction, engineering, manufacturing, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: absorbing well, drain well, negative well, dumb well, dead well, blind well

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see dry, well. Any kind of well that is dry.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From dry + well (in both open compound and solid compound form).