noun
draft
drahft
noun
1
An early, unfinished version of a piece of writing.
"She sent me the first draft of her novel."
"I need to revise this draft before the deadline."
2
A current of air moving through an enclosed space.
"There's a cold draft coming from under the door."
3
(US) Compulsory enlistment into military service; conscription.
"Thousands of young men were called up in the draft."
4
The process of selecting players for professional sports teams.
"The team's first pick in the draft was a college quarterback."
verb
1
To write a preliminary version of something.
"The lawyer drafted a new contract overnight."
adj
1
Served from a cask or keg rather than a bottle or can.
"They only serve draft beer at that pub."
How to Use Draft
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rough first version of something written, or — in other senses — a flow of air, forced military service, or picking players for a team.
UK vs US
British English generally keeps the older spelling "draught" for beer and air currents, but uses "draft" for a rough written version and for money orders; American English uses "draft" for all of these.
Easily confused with
draught
Common pairings
first draft
draft beer
military draft
draft pick
Word Forms
drafted past tense, drafts plural, drafts singular
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Etymology
A phonetic respelling of "draught," from Old English dreaht, related to "draw."