a first or preliminary form of any writing, subject to revision, copying, etc.
the act of drawing; delineation.
a current of air in any enclosed space, especially in a room, chimney, or stove.
a current of air moving in an upward or downward direction.
a device for regulating the current of air in a stove, fireplace, etc.
an act of drawing or pulling loads.
something that is drawn or pulled; a haul.
an animal or team of animals used to pull a load.
the force required to pull a load.
the taking of supplies, forces, money, etc., from a given source.
a selection or drawing of persons, by lot or otherwise, from the general body of the people for military service; levy; conscription.
the persons so selected.
Sports. a selecting or drawing of new players from a choice group of amateur players by professional teams, especially a system of selecting new players so that each team in a professional league receives some of the most promising players.
British. a selection of persons already in military service to be sent from one post or organization to another; detachment.
a written order drawn by one person upon another; a writing directing the payment of money on account of the drawer; bill of exchange.
a drain or demand made on anything.
draft beer.
an act of drinking or inhaling.
something that is taken in by drinking or inhaling; a drink; dose.
a quantity of fish caught.
Nautical. the depth to which a vessel is immersed when bearing a given load.
Also called leave. Metallurgy. the slight taper given to a pattern so that it may be drawn from the sand without injury to the mold.
Metalworking.
the change in sectional area of a piece of work caused by a rolling or drawing operation.
a taper on a die or punch permitting it to be withdrawn readily from the work.
Masonry. a line or border chiseled at the edge of a stone, to serve as a guide in leveling the surfaces.
Textiles.
the degree of attenuation produced in fibers during yarn processing, expressed either by the ratio of the weight of raw fiber to the weight of processed fiber, or by the ratio between the varying surface speeds of the rollers on the carding machine.
the act of attenuating the fibers.
an allowance granted to a buyer for waste of goods sold by weight.
verb (used with object)
to draw the outlines or plan of; sketch.
to draw up in written form; compose.
to draw or pull.
to take or select by draft, especially for military service.
Masonry. to cut a draft on.
verb (used without object)
to do mechanical drawing; work as a draftsman.
(in a race) to drive or ride close behind another car or bicycle so as to benefit from the reduction in air pressure created behind it.
adjective
used or suited for drawing loads: These oxen are fine draft animals.
drawn or available to be drawn from a cask rather than served from a sealed bottle: draft ale.
being a tentative or preliminary outline, version, design, or sketch.
Idioms for draft
on draft, available to be drawn from a cask rather than from a sealed bottle: imported beer on draft.
Also especially British, draught[draft, drahft] /dræft, drɑft/ (for defs. 1, 3-10, 18-25, 28-33, 35-38) .
Origin of draft
Later spelling of draught (since 16th century)
OTHER WORDS FROM draft
draft·a·ble,adjectivedraft·er,nounan·ti·draft,adjectivepre·draft,noun,verb (used with object)
re·draft,verb (used with object)un·draft·a·ble,adjectiveun·draft·ed,adjective
That’s according to a draft study, led by researchers at the University of Nevada and posted online.
Another COVID-19 reinfection: This time second infection was more severe|Beth Mole|August 28, 2020|Ars Technica
They have a stealthy hull and shallow draft, but some models are difficult to fish from while standing up.
This motorized kayak can drive itself|By Nate Matthews/Outdoor Life|August 28, 2020|Popular Science
The draft language is largely focused on closing the achievement gap between different racial groups, but also broadly steers the district toward the removal of institutional biases.
‘Educate, Not Indoctrinate’: Anti-Racism Push in Coronado Schools Fuels Backlash|Ashly McGlone|August 18, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Hines-Allen’s defense helped get her drafted out of Louisville, with the 19th overall pick in 2018.
These 3 Breakout Stars Are Making The Most Of The WNBA Bubble|Howard Megdal|August 14, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
While they still had a chance at the playoffs in the East, the Rangers’ 79 points through 70 games were only the fifth-most points amassed by the teams eligible for Monday’s draft lottery and the sixth-most points per game.
First The New York Rangers Made The Postseason. Then They Got The No. 1 Draft Pick.|Julian McKenzie|August 13, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
But if that is the low bar for defining a war, then I hope the draft is reinstated.
Why I’m for the War on Christmas|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Draft Day, his Ivan Reitman-directed film about the NFL draft, grossed just $28 million at the domestic box office.
The Biggest Bombs of 2014: ‘Sex Tape,’ Mariah Carey’s Vocals, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To some, this means being able to draft an email while booking a flight.
Renaissance Man Jared Leto Defies Categorization|The Daily Beast|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cervecerías Barú resolved problems with their draft system that prohibited them from selling on tap for almost seven years.
House of the Witch: The Renegade Craft Brewers of Panama|Jeff Campagna|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both wanted the president to take the lead on offering a draft war authorization.
The Pentagon Is Officially Clueless About the ISIS War|Tim Mak|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She had written sweethearts at the first draft, but the word looked wrong somehow in a letter that was meant to be discouraging.
Rich Relatives|Compton Mackenzie
The committee of detail, in preparing the first draft of the Constitution, merely adopted the naked declaration of the articles.
History of the Origin, Formation, and Adoption of the Constitution of the United States, Vol. 2|George Ticknor Curtis
The draft bill was referred to a committee of the legislature, which went thoroughly into its merits.
The History of the Post Office in British North America|William Smith
Gooding said he felt a draft, and sat on the foot of the cot.
Sunny Slopes|Ethel Hueston
The Castoga had been ordered to proceed at full speed, she being the nearest craft of a draft light enough to ascend the river.
Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station|H. Irving Hancock
British Dictionary definitions for draft
draft
/ (drɑːft) /
noun
a plan, sketch, or drawing of something
a preliminary outline of a book, speech, etc
another word for bill of exchange
a demand or drain on something
the divergent duct leading from a water turbine to its tailrace
USselection for compulsory military service
detachment of military personnel from one unit to another
commercean allowance on merchandise sold by weight
a line or narrow border that is chiselled on the surface of a stone to serve as a guide for levelling it
Australian and NZa group of livestock separated from the rest of the herd or flock
verb(tr)
to draw up an outline or sketch for somethingto draft a speech
to prepare a plan or design of
to detach (military personnel) from one unit to another
A preliminary version of a book, speech, essay, or outline.
Cultural definitions for draft (2 of 2)
draft
A system for selecting young men for compulsory military service, administered in the United States by the Selective Service System. At present the United States relies on a volunteer military and does not have a draft, though young men are required by law to register with the Selective Service. (See also conscientious objector and draft dodger.)