0 past simple and past participle of drift
1 to move slowly, especially as a result of outside forces, with no control over direction:
When toxic fumes began to drift toward our homes, we were told to evacuate.
The boat drifted westwards in the prevailing winds.
The damaged boat drifted for days before it was finally taken in tow.
Yet the ' writings ' drifted back in dribs and drabs.
But he felt he'd never actually decided, only drifted into being still here.
These students constantly drifted away from the society and throughout the late nineteenth century membership levels waxed and waned dramatically.