Drawers

Drawers are sliding compartments built into furniture such as chests of drawers, dressers, desks, and cabinets. They consist of a front panel, a back, sides, a bottom, and a cavity that holds items. They are designed to be pulled out on glides or runners to access stored contents. Drawers are typically constructed with joinery such as dovetails or finger joints, and are attached to metal or wooden slides. Materials include solid wood, plywood, particleboard, and MDF, often finished with veneer or laminate. Common features include interior dividers, a drawer bottom, stops, and sometimes soft-close or self-closing mechanisms. The dimensions vary by design, from shallow jewelry drawers to deep file drawers. The development of reliable slides in the 19th and 20th centuries improved capacity and ease of use; modern drawers may use ball-bearing slides, under-mount slides, and soft-close mechanisms. Care involves cleaning with a damp cloth, avoiding excess moisture, and not overloading; occasional lubrication of runners prolongs life.

Drawers may also refer to individuals who draw, such as artists or draftsmen, historically described as drawers or draughtsmen.

In clothing terminology, drawers refers to undergarments, especially in historical or formal contexts, and can appear in antique or period writing or in regional usage.