draft

Pluraldrafts

Formsdrafts, drafting, drafted

1. 1
   nouncountable

   An early or preliminary version of a piece of writing, drawing, or plan, made before the final form.

   The author shared an early draft of the novel with her editor.

   He revised the draft three times before submitting the paper.

   UsageCommon phrases: a first draft, a rough draft, the final draft.

   Similarversion, outline, sketch

   Note

   The writer's sense is now spelled draft wherever English is written, though older texts sometimes use draught, as in Jefferson's "original Rough draught" of the Declaration of Independence. Drafts come in a sequence, from a first draft to a final product, and each one is revised into the next.

2. 2
   league selectionnounUScountable

   A system by which professional sports teams select new rookie players.

   She was the first woman selected in the league's draft.

   The franchise traded up to gain a higher pick in the draft.

   UsageA player is picked in the draft and drafted by a team; teams trade up for a higher pick.

   Note

   League sports bring in new players this way: teams take turns choosing, and the noun names both the event and the system. In most leagues the weakest teams from the season before pick first, so that new talent spreads toward the clubs that need it most.

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To write a first or preliminary version of a document, such as a letter, report, proposal, or piece of legislation.

   The committee drafted a proposal for the new park.

   He will draft the opening chapter this weekend.

   Similarwrite, compose, prepare

4. 4
   verbUStransitive

   Of a professional sports team, to choose a rookie to join its roster.

   The franchise drafted three defenders in a single year.

   Scouts urged the club to draft the young goalkeeper.

   UsageOften passive with by naming the club: he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins.

   Similarpick, select, choose

5. 5
   nouncountable

   A current of air, especially one coming into a room or vehicle, or one drawn up through a chimney or flue.

   A draft from the open window made the candle flicker.

   He sat away from the door to avoid the chilly draft.

   UsageBritish English spells this draught. Common phrases: feel a draft, a cold draft.

   Similarbreeze, current

   Note

   The everyday sense shows the spelling most clearly. Draft is a phonetic respelling of draught: it spells with f the sound that gh stands for, the same sound heard in laughter. Both forms go back to a Germanic word for 'a pulling, drawing'. A draft is air drawn through a gap, which is why you feel one from a window or an open door.

6. 6
   call-up systemnounCanadaUSusually singular

   Conscription; the compulsory enlistment of people for military service.

   He was opposed to the draft and refused to serve.

   The government ended the draft and moved to an all-volunteer force.

   UsageUsually with the when referring to the system: avoid the draft, oppose the draft.

   Similarconscription, call-up

7. 7
   call into armyverbUStransitive

   To conscript a person; to compel someone to serve, especially in the military.

   The government drafted young men to fill the ranks.

   Officials threatened to draft any able-bodied citizen.

   UsageOften passive: he was drafted into the army, drafted during the Vietnam War.

   Similarconscript, enlist, induct, recruit

   Oppositedischarge, demobilize

8. 8
   on tapadjective

   Of a drink, served on tap rather than from a bottle.

   The menu lists several draft options alongside the bottled selection.

   During happy hour the bar sells its draft lager for half price.

   UsageComes before a noun: draft beer, draft cider. British English spells it draught.

   Oppositebottled, canned

9. 9
   nouncountable or uncountable

   Beer or other alcohol drawn straight from a cask or keg rather than from a bottle or can.

   The pub poured a fresh draft for each customer.

   She prefers draft to the canned version of the same beer.

   UsageA common phrase is on draft, served from the tap. British English spells it draught.

   Note

   Beer is only the commonest case: Thomas George Shaw writes of draft wine in the taverns in Wine, the Vine, and the Cellar (1863). Jeff Smith's Craft Cider (2015) applies it to cider, noting that purists have long looked down on cider poured from a tap rather than a bottle. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

   • Thomas George Shaw wrote Wine, the Vine, and the Cellar, first published in 1863. deriv.nls.uk
   • Shaw's book mentions draft wine used in taverns. en.wiktionary.org
   • Jeff Smith wrote Craft Cider, published in 2015. en.wiktionary.org
   • Smith uses draft of cider and describes traditionalists' belief that bottled cider is superior. en.wiktionary.org
10. 10
    pick for taskverbtransitive

    To pick out a person or thing and assign it to a specific role or purpose.

    Organizers drafted several volunteers to manage the booths.

    The committee will draft an expert to lead the review.

    UsageTakes a person and a role: draft someone to chair a meeting, draft someone into a team.

    Similarrecruit, enlist, select, choose, pick

    Note

    The general verb for choosing someone for a job they may not have sought. It is not limited to people. Trains Illustrated in 1960 reports a locomotive drafted to the Fawley branch. The verbs for soldiers, players and livestock are narrower uses of this one. Source

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

    • Trains Illustrated reported a locomotive drafted to the Fawley branch in 1960; Wiktionary identifies the source as its May 1960 issue, page 315. en.wiktionary.org
11. 11
    draw plansverbtransitive

    To draw something in outline; to make a sketch, plan, or technical drawing of, as in architecture or engineering.

    Engineers draft detailed blueprints for every component.

    He drafted the bridge design over several weeks.

    Similarsketch, draw, outline, design, plan

12. 12
    ship depthnouncountable

    The depth of water a vessel needs to float, measured from the waterline to the bottom of its hull.

    The captain checked the ship's draft before crossing the sandbar.

    A loaded tanker has a much greater draft than an empty one.

    UsageBritish English spells it draught. Common phrases: a shallow draft, a deep draft.

    Note

    A sailor's measurement, taken from the hull's point of view: the depth of water a vessel draws. Ships are said to draw so many feet, and the noun names that figure. This is why a loaded tanker sits deeper than an empty one. A shallow draft lets a boat cross a sandbar that would stop a deeper hull. Source

    Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

    • A vessel's draft measures the depth of water it draws, from the waterline to the bottom of its hull. en.wiktionary.org
    • Adding cargo increases a ship's draft, so a loaded tanker sits deeper than an empty one. oceanservice.noaa.gov
    • A shallow-draft boat can pass over a submerged sandbar where insufficient water depth would stop a deeper-draft vessel. en.wikipedia.org
13. 13
    payment ordernouncountable

    A written order directing a bank or other party to pay a stated sum to someone, or the document that carries it, such as a check, money order or bill of exchange.

    The bank issued a draft payable to the supplier.

    She presented the draft for payment at the counter.

    Note

    A draft orders another party to pay money; it does not merely promise payment. Banks still issue drafts, and businesses also use drafts drawn on buyers in international trade. This financial meaning remains current, though it is specialized.

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