French drain

noun

1. a drainage trench filled to ground level with fragments of brick, rock, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of French drain¹

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

A linear French drain is like a gutter in the ground.

From Seattle Times

My plan was to install a large linear French drain behind the new retaining wall.

From Seattle Times

A team thought they recovered all of this fuel, but they missed about 5,000 gallons which flowed into a French drain and from there into the drinking water well.

From Washington Times

The structure was in need of waterproofing around the foundation, including a new French drain to eliminate standing water in the crawl space.

From Seattle Times

Fuel they missed flowed into a French drain and from there into the drinking water well.

From Seattle Times