draft
1 of 3noun
ˈdraft 
ˈdräft
ˈdräft 1
fishing
a
: the act of drawing or pulling in a net
b
: haul sense 2b
a draft of fish
2
a
: the act or an instance of drinking or inhaling
a last draft on her cigarette
also : the portion drunk or inhaled in one such act
b
: a portion poured out or mixed for drinking : dose
3
mechanical engineering
a
: the force required to pull a plow or other implement
b
: load or load-pulling capacity
the draft of a typical draft horse
4
a
: the act of moving loads by drawing or pulling : pull
b
: a team of animals together with what they draw
5
a
: delineation, representation
a draft for a future skyscraper
b
: scheme, design
c
: a preliminary sketch, outline, or version
the author's first draft
a draft treaty
6
: the act, result, or plan of lengthening or stretching something (such as threads or metal)
7
a
: the act of causing a liquid to come out of a container or source : the act of drawing (as from a cask or keg)
b
: a portion of liquid so drawn
a draft of ale
c
: draft (see draft entry 2 sense 2) beer
a glass of draft
8
nautical : the depth of water a ship draws (see draw entry 1 sense transitive 6) especially when loaded
9
a(1)
: a system for or act of selecting individuals from a group (as for compulsory military service)
debating whether or not to institute a draft
(2)
: an act or process of selecting an individual (as for political candidacy) without the individual's expressed consent
b
: a group of individuals selected especially by military draft
c
sports : a system whereby exclusive rights to selected new players are apportioned among professional teams
He was chosen in the first round of the draft.
10
a
: an order for the payment of money drawn (see draw entry 1 sense 7c) by one person or bank on another
b
: the act or an instance of drawing from or making demands upon something : demand
11
a
: a current of air in a closed-in space
felt a draft
b
: a device for regulating the flow of air (as in a fireplace)
open the draft
12
: angle, taper
specifically, industrial engineering : the taper (see taper entry 2 sense 2b) given to a pattern or die (see die entry 2 sense 3) so that the work can be easily withdrawn
13
: a pocket of reduced air pressure behind a moving object
also, racing sports : the use of such a draft to save energy
draft
2 of 3adjective
1
animal husbandry : used or adapted for drawing loads
draft horses
2
: being or having been ready to be drawn from a receptacle : being or having been on draft
drinking draft beer
draft
3 of 3verb
drafted; drafting; drafts
transitive verb
1
: to select for some purpose: such as
a
: to conscript for military service
was drafted and sent overseas
b
sports : to select (a professional athlete) by draft
got drafted by the Yankees
2
a
: to draw the preliminary sketch, version, or plan of
draft legislation
b
: compose, prepare
draft a memo
3
: to draw off or away
water drafted by pumps
4
racing sports : to stay close behind (another racer) so as to take advantage of the reduced air pressure created by the leading racer
intransitive verb
1
: to practice draftsmanship
2
racing sports : to draft another racer (as in car or bike racing)
draftable
ˈdraf-tə-bəl
adjective ˈdräf-
draftee
ˌdraf-ˈtē
noun ˌdräf-
drafter
ˈdraf-tər
noun ˈdräf-
Synonyms
Noun
- burden
- cargo
- freight
- haul
- lading
- load
- loading
- payload
- weight
Verb
- conscribe
- conscript
- levy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun The published poem differs quite a bit from earlier drafts. You may want to seal the windows with plastic to stop drafts. Verb The two countries are drafting a treaty. The drama club drafted three teenagers to be in the parade. The legislature debated drafting more soldiers. The new rule prohibits teams from drafting players under 18. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Maureen O'hare, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 For instance, the American Civil War, the first draft in the United States is a byproduct of the American Civil War. CBS News, 7 Sep. 2022 Before the draft, the Ravens’ personnel seemed to be trending toward normalcy. Jonas Shaffer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2022 Some constitutional analysts said the draft charter would have undermined the balance of power, weakened the independence of the judiciary and scaled back equality for all citizens under the law. Juan Forero, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 His reporters had obtained a Supreme Court draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., signaling that the court had voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Sarah Ellison, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2022 This, despite the fact that Smith was projected to go first overall by most experts even just hours before the draft. Rahat Huq, Chron, 5 Sep. 2022 Pierce was a late fantasy bloomer as the rookie shot up draft boards after being named the Texans' starting running back. Tony Holm, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 Even young men who were not drafted were often glued to the latest numbers appearing in draft lotteries. Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland, 21 July 2022 Crawford, who is being advised by former MLB outfielder Kenny Felder and Excel Sports Management, offered a pre-draft curve ball this week, announcing his decision to transfer to Tennessee. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2022 Mathis even told reporters in his post-draft news conference that his agent told him he would be drafted in rounds three or four. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 30 Apr. 2022 The jabs began during the Dallas Cowboys’ pre-draft news conference on Tuesday, the Cowboys owner and general manager jesting about who ultimately selected recent first-round picks. Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2022 The main focus of Jovic’s pre-draft workouts were improving his ball-handling and shooting. Francisco Rosa, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2022 Samuels, 23, was the only player to be invited to two pre-draft workouts for the Pacers, showcasing his skill set June 10 and June 20. James Boyd, The Indianapolis Star, 25 June 2022 The six-time All-Star, Lillard, has consistently been at all pre-draft workouts and any pick general manager Joe Cronin and the Blazers make will surely have to come with his approval in mind. oregonlive, 21 June 2022 Polley played at the Tampa Bay Pro Combine in April and in June released a video of his pre-draft workouts. Shreyas Laddha, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2022 Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Stafford realized the potential that inspired the Lions to draft him No. 1 overall in 2009 with some clutch throws (as well as some requisite Stafford turnovers) in the Rams' 2021 playoff run. Tyler J. Davis, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2022 After a big breakout season in 2020, Thomas missed 11 games due to various injuries in 2021 and fantasy managers are now reluctant to draft him. Jon Heath, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2022 Alexis Johnson, Mayor Bronson’s chief of staff, said the administration is working on a winter sheltering plan and will draft it and submit it to the Assembly. Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 30 July 2022 The Browns also liked Rosen coming out of UCLA in 2018, but not enough to draft him over Baker Mayfield at No. 1 overall. cleveland, 21 July 2022 As his chief deputy legal affairs secretary, Newsom said, Evans helped to draft the moratorium on executions that the governor declared shortly after taking office in 2019. Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Aug. 2022 The department has helped draft a 2030 state Master Plan for Aging with a top goal of addressing rental cost and making investments in affordable housing. Diane Bellcolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2022 Heard pushed back on prior testimony from Dougherty that her 2018 op-ed, which the ACLU helped draft and place, was timed to capitalize on the debut of Aquaman that year. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 17 May 2022 See More
Noun
The refurb uses heritage materials such as copper, grain and stained glass, creating a relaxing space for visitors to soak in the wooden baths, before trying one of the draft beers on tap. Maureen O'hare, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 For instance, the American Civil War, the first draft in the United States is a byproduct of the American Civil War. CBS News, 7 Sep. 2022 Before the draft, the Ravens’ personnel seemed to be trending toward normalcy. Jonas Shaffer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2022 Some constitutional analysts said the draft charter would have undermined the balance of power, weakened the independence of the judiciary and scaled back equality for all citizens under the law. Juan Forero, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 His reporters had obtained a Supreme Court draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., signaling that the court had voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Sarah Ellison, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2022 This, despite the fact that Smith was projected to go first overall by most experts even just hours before the draft. Rahat Huq, Chron, 5 Sep. 2022 Pierce was a late fantasy bloomer as the rookie shot up draft boards after being named the Texans' starting running back. Tony Holm, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 Even young men who were not drafted were often glued to the latest numbers appearing in draft lotteries. Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 Adjective
The Browns thoroughly scouted Rosen during the 2018 pre-draft process along with the rest of the quarterbacks in that class, and Browns GM Andrew Berry was Vice President of Player Personnel under John Dorsey that year. Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland, 21 July 2022 Crawford, who is being advised by former MLB outfielder Kenny Felder and Excel Sports Management, offered a pre-draft curve ball this week, announcing his decision to transfer to Tennessee. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2022 Mathis even told reporters in his post-draft news conference that his agent told him he would be drafted in rounds three or four. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 30 Apr. 2022 The jabs began during the Dallas Cowboys’ pre-draft news conference on Tuesday, the Cowboys owner and general manager jesting about who ultimately selected recent first-round picks. Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2022 The main focus of Jovic’s pre-draft workouts were improving his ball-handling and shooting. Francisco Rosa, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2022 Samuels, 23, was the only player to be invited to two pre-draft workouts for the Pacers, showcasing his skill set June 10 and June 20. James Boyd, The Indianapolis Star, 25 June 2022 The six-time All-Star, Lillard, has consistently been at all pre-draft workouts and any pick general manager Joe Cronin and the Blazers make will surely have to come with his approval in mind. oregonlive, 21 June 2022 Polley played at the Tampa Bay Pro Combine in April and in June released a video of his pre-draft workouts. Shreyas Laddha, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2022 Verb
Fields lasted eight more selections before the Bears vaulted to No. 11 to draft him. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Stafford realized the potential that inspired the Lions to draft him No. 1 overall in 2009 with some clutch throws (as well as some requisite Stafford turnovers) in the Rams' 2021 playoff run. Tyler J. Davis, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2022 After a big breakout season in 2020, Thomas missed 11 games due to various injuries in 2021 and fantasy managers are now reluctant to draft him. Jon Heath, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2022 Alexis Johnson, Mayor Bronson’s chief of staff, said the administration is working on a winter sheltering plan and will draft it and submit it to the Assembly. Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 30 July 2022 The Browns also liked Rosen coming out of UCLA in 2018, but not enough to draft him over Baker Mayfield at No. 1 overall. cleveland, 21 July 2022 As his chief deputy legal affairs secretary, Newsom said, Evans helped to draft the moratorium on executions that the governor declared shortly after taking office in 2019. Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Aug. 2022 The department has helped draft a 2030 state Master Plan for Aging with a top goal of addressing rental cost and making investments in affordable housing. Diane Bellcolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2022 Heard pushed back on prior testimony from Dougherty that her 2018 op-ed, which the ACLU helped draft and place, was timed to capitalize on the debut of Aquaman that year. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 17 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun, Adjective, and Verb
Middle English draght; akin to Old English dragan to draw — more at draw
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1714, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing draft
Kids Definition
draft 1 of 3
noun
ˈdraft
ˈdräft
1
: a version of something written or drawn (as an essay, document, or plan) that has or will have more than one version
I finished the rough draft of my report.
2
: a current of air
3
: a device to regulate an air supply (as in a fireplace)
4
: the act of pulling or hauling : the thing or amount pulled
a beast of draft
5
: the act or an instance of drinking or inhaling : the portion drunk or inhaled at one time
He took a draft of his drink.
6
: the act of drawing out liquid (as from a cask) : a portion of liquid drawn out
a draft of beer
7
: the depth of water a ship needs in order to float
8
: the practice of ordering people into military service
9
: the practice of choosing someone to play on a professional sports team
10
: an order made by one person or organization to another to pay money to a third person or organization
draft
2 of 3adjective
1
: used for pulling loads
a draft animal
2
: not in final form
a draft report
3
: ready to be drawn from a container
draft beer
draft
3 of 3verb
drafted; drafting
1
: to write or draw a version of something (as an essay or plan) that usually needs more work
2
: to choose someone to do something
Mom drafted us to clean the garage.
3
: to pick especially for required military service
Medical Definition
draft
noun
variants or chiefly British draught
ˈdraft, ˈdrȧft
1
: a portion (as of medicine) poured out or mixed for drinking : dose
2
: a current of air in a closed-in space
Legal Definition
draft 1 of 2
noun
1
: a preliminary version of something (as a law)
2
a
: a system for or act of selecting individuals from a group (as for military service)
b
: the act or process of selecting an individual (as for political candidacy) without his or her expressed consent
3
: an order for the payment of money drawn by one person or bank on another see also drawee, drawer compare check
— documentary draft
: a draft that will be honored only upon the presentation of certain documents (as an invoice or certificate of title)
— sight draft
: a draft payable on presentation
— time draft
: a draft payable a specified number of days after the date of the draft or of its presentation
draft
2 of 2transitive verb
1
: to select for some purpose
specifically : to conscript for military service
2
: to compose or prepare especially the preliminary version of
drafting legislation
intransitive verb
: to practice draftsmanship
draft 1 of 2
noun
1
as in payload
a mass or quantity of something taken up and carried, conveyed, or transported the draft of an average-sized oil tanker Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- payload
- loading
- load
- burden
- cargo
- lading
- haul
- freight
- weight
- shipment
- package
- ballast
- bale
- consignment
- bulk
- pack
- truckload
- packet
- parcel
- boatload
- deadweight
- overload
- surcharge
- manifest
- wagonload
- bundle
- trainload
- shipload
- carload
- body
- mass
2
as in drink
the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time took a long draft of the beer before putting his mug down Synonyms & Similar Words
- drink
- sip
- gulp
- swallow
- shot
- swill
- sup
- drop
- slug
- snort
- quaff
- swig
- belt
- nip
- drag
- dram
3
as in wind
noticeable movement of air in a particular direction do you feel a draft from beneath the door? Synonyms & Similar Words
- wind
- current
- blow
- breeze
- tornado
- windstorm
- breath
- tempest
- flurry
- gust
- gale
- puff
- blast
- squall
- zephyr
- tailwind
- headwind
- waft
draft
2 of 2verb
1
as in to conscript
to pick especially for required military service my grandfather was drafted to fight in a war that he opposed Synonyms & Similar Words
- conscript
- recruit
- levy
- enlist
- conscribe
- volunteer
- enroll
- call up
- press
- sign up
- enrol
- impress
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discharge
- muster out
2
as in to prepare
to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form draft a letter to the local newspaper giving your views on the problem Synonyms & Similar Words
- prepare
- compose
- write
- craft
- formulate
- frame
- cast
- draw up
- put together
- pen
- form
- shape
- word
- mold
- sculpture
- state
- phrase
- redraft
- make
- fashion
- author
- build
- devise
- verbalize
- construct
- fabricate
- couch
- express
- assemble
- concoct
- compound
- conceive
- reformulate
- indite
- reframe
- piece (together)
3
as in to drain
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely remember to draft the water from the pool so that we can close it up for the winter Synonyms & Similar Words
- drain
- tap
- pump
- suck
- empty
- siphon
- milk
- clean
- purge
- evacuate
- bleed
- draw (off)
- syphon
- flush
- decant
- clear
- exhaust
- vacuate
- vacate
- void
- effuse
- deplete
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fill
- water
- flood
- wash
- wet
- bathe
- soak
- overflow
- drown
- inundate
- drench
- douse
- swamp
- deluge
- souse
- dowse
- submerge