Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

backdoor draft

noun

Definition of backdoor draft

US
: the recall of military personnel to active duty or the extension of active military duty beyond the originally contracted time in order to maintain troop strength The Guard and the Reserve have been turned into almost active duty, and you have what is a backdoor draft that has been put into effect.— John Kerry, quoted in Federal News Service, 2 June 2004

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of backdoor draft

2003, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about backdoor draft

Statistics for backdoor draft

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for backdoor draft

The first known use of backdoor draft was in 2003

See more words from the same year

Comments on backdoor draft

What made you want to look up backdoor draft? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

provender

Listen to the pronounciation of provender

food or victuals

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

  • cow coming home
  • What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games