1. drained or extracted something gradually, especially nutrients, minerals, or other substances from soil or materials
2. took advantage of someone by depending on them for support, money, or resources without giving anything back
Usage: informal
3. treated medically with leeches to draw blood
Usage: historical; medical

Examples

• The heavy rains leeched nutrients from the topsoil.
• Chemicals from the landfill leeched into the groundwater.
• He leeched off his parents for years without getting a job.
• She felt like her roommate had leeched all her energy and motivation.
• The old mining operations leeched minerals from the surrounding rock.
• In medieval times, doctors leeched patients to balance their humors.
• The constant criticism leeched away her confidence.