drift (Noun) — A force that moves something along.
drift (Noun) — The gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane).
drift (Noun) — A process of linguistic change over a period of time.
drift (Noun) — A large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents.
drift (Noun) — A general tendency to change (as of opinion). ex. "not openly liberal but that is the drift of the book"
drift (Noun) — The pervading meaning or tenor. ex. "caught the general drift of the conversation"
drift (Noun) — (mining) a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine. ex. "they dug a drift parallel with the vein"
drift (Verb) — Be in motion due to some air or water current. ex. "the boat drifted on the lake" ex. "the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore"
drift (Verb) — Wander from a direct course or at random. ex. "don't drift from the set course"
drift (Verb) — Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment. ex. "the labourers drift from one town to the next"
drift (Verb) — Vary or move from a fixed point or course. ex. "stock prices are drifting higher"
drift (Verb) — Live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely. ex. "My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school"
drift (Verb) — Move in an unhurried fashion. ex. "The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests"
drift (Verb) — Cause to be carried by a current. ex. "drift the boats downstream"
drift (Verb) — Drive slowly and far afield for grazing. ex. "drift the cattle herds westwards"
drift (Verb) — Be subject to fluctuation. ex. "The stock market drifted upward"
drift (Verb) — Be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current. ex. "snow drifting several feet high" ex. "sand drifting like snow"