First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1draft
noun \ˈdraft, ˈdräft\
: a version of something (such as a document) that you make before you make the final version
: cool air moving in a closed space (such as a room)
: a system in which young people are required to join the armed forces of a country for a period of service
Full Definition of DRAFT
1
a : the act of drawing a net b : haul 2b
2
a : the act or an instance of drinking or inhaling; also : the portion drunk or inhaled in one such act b : a portion poured out or mixed for drinking : dose
3
a : the force required to pull an implement b : load or load-pulling capacity
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 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 drawing out or stretching
7
a : the act of drawing (as from a cask) b : a portion of liquid so drawn <a draft of ale> c : draft beer <a glass of draft>
8
: the depth of water a ship draws especially when loaded
9
a (1) : a system for or act of selecting individuals from a group (as for compulsory military service) (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 : a system whereby exclusive rights to selected new players are apportioned among professional teams
10
a : an order for the payment of money drawn 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)
12
13
: a pocket of reduced air pressure behind a moving object; also : the use of such a draft to save energy
— on draft
: ready to be drawn from a receptacle <beer on draft>
See draft defined for English-language learners
See draft defined for kids
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Origin of DRAFT
Middle English draght; akin to Old English dragan to draw — more at draw
2draft
adjective
of an animal : used for pulling heavy loads
of beer : stored in and poured from a large container
: not yet in the final form
Full Definition of DRAFT
1
: used or adapted for drawing loads <draft horses>
2
: being or having been on draft <drinking draft beer>
See draft defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DRAFT
15th century
3draft
verb
: to make a version of (something, such as a document or plan) that will need more work in order to be finished
: to choose (someone) for a special purpose
: to officially order (someone) to join the armed forces
Full Definition of DRAFT
transitive verb
1
: to select for some purpose: as a : to conscript for military service b : to select (a professional athlete) by draft
2
3
: to draw off or away <water drafted by pumps>
4
: 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
: to draft another racer (as in car or bike racing)
— draft·able \ˈdraf-tə-bəl, ˈdräf-\ adjective
— draft·ee \ˌdraf-ˈtē, ˌdräf-\ noun
— draft·er \ˈdraf-tər, ˈdräf-\ noun
See draft defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DRAFT
1714
DRAFTEE Defined for Kids
1draft
noun \ˈdraft, ˈdräft\
Definition of DRAFT for Kids
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
2draft
adjective
Definition of DRAFT for Kids
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>
3draft
verb
draft·eddraft·ing
Definition of DRAFT for Kids
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 Dictionary
draft
noun
Medical Definition of DRAFT
1
: a portion (as of medicine) poured out or mixed for drinking : dose
2
: a current of air in a closed-in space
—drafty or chiefly British draughty \ˈdraf-tē, ˈdrȧf-\ adjective
Variants of DRAFT
draft or chiefly British draught \ˈdraft, ˈdrȧft\
Learn More About DRAFT
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