[; ]a gradual change or development from one situation to another, especially to sth bad; a slow, steady movement from one place to another 逐渐变化；漂流◆a downward drift in inflation 通货膨胀的缓慢下降◆a long period of drift or decline in the markets 市场长时期的缓慢下滑◆a drift to the cities 城市化趋势wage drift