1.verbTo decide at random by drawing (selecting randomly between) straws, sticks, etc., one of which differs from the others (typically by being shorter), held in a person's hand so as to conceal which is the different one. Typically, whoever draws the short straw must complete some undesirable task.
"They drew straws to see who had to wash the dishes."
2.verb(by extension) To decide by any means of chance.