1. a force that moves something along

2. the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)

3. a process of linguistic change over a period of time

4. something that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents

5. a general tendency to change (as of opinion);

"not openly liberal but that is the trend of the book"

"a broad movement of the electorate to the right"

6. general meaning or tenor;

"caught the drift of the conversation"

7. a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine;

"they dug a drift parallel with the vein"

1. be in motion due to some air or water current;

"The leaves were blowing in the wind"

"the boat drifted on the lake"

"The sailboat was adrift on the open sea"

"the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore"

2. wander from a direct course or at random;

"The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her"

"don't drift from the set course"

3. move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment;

"The gypsies roamed the woods"

"roving vagabonds"

"the wandering Jew"

"The cattle roam across the prairie"

"the laborers drift from one town to the next"

"They rolled from town to town"

4. vary or move from a fixed point or course;

"stock prices are drifting higher"

5. live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely;

"My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school"

6. move in an unhurried fashion;

"The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests"

7. cause to be carried by a current;

"drift the boats downstream"

8. drive slowly and far afield for grazing;

"drift the cattle herds westwards"

9. be subject to fluctuation;

"The stock market drifted upward"

10. be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current;

"snow drifting several feet high"

"sand drifting like snow"