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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | dropa |
Related topics:1 a very small amount of liquid that falls in a round shape
liquid
[countable] drop of 
As the first drops of rain began to fall, Michael started to run.A single drop of blood splashed onto the floor. A drop of sweat ran down her forehead and into her eye.
➔ rain drop, teardropAs the first drops of rain began to fall, Michael started to run.A single drop of blood splashed onto the floor.A drop of sweat ran down her forehead and into her eye.2
small amount
[usually singular] informala) DFD a small amount of liquid that you drink, especially alcohol
drop of She likes to add a drop of brandy to her tea.
She likes to add a drop of brandy to her tea.b) a small amount of something
drop of I haven't got a drop of sympathy for him.
I haven't got a drop of sympathy for him.3 a reduction in the amount, level, or number of something, especially a large or sudden one [= fall]
reduction
[singular]4 a distance from a higher point down to the ground or to a lower point : There was a steep drop on one side of the track. a 20-metre drop
distance to ground
[singular]DNThere was a steep drop on one side of the track.a 20-metre drop5 immediately and without pausing to think about what you are going to do : Some of these corporations threaten to sue at the drop of a hat.
at the drop of a hat
Some of these corporations threaten to sue at the drop of a hat.6 an act of delivering something somewhere, for example by dropping it from a plane [= delivery]: Air drops (=from a plane) of food aid were made to the region yesterday. My first drop of the day is usually somewhere in north London. ➔ mail drop
delivery
[countable]TTAAir drops (=from a plane) of food aid were made to the region yesterday.My first drop of the day is usually somewhere in north London.8 a very small amount of something compared to what is needed or wanted : 5000 new schools are to be built, but this is just a drop in the ocean for such a vast country.
a drop in the ocean
British English, a drop in the bucket American English5000 new schools are to be built, but this is just a drop in the ocean for such a vast country.
