\ ˈdraft
, ˈdräft
\
, ˈdräft
\
Definition of draft
(Entry 1 of 3)
2a
: the act or an instance of drinking or inhaling
a last draft on her cigarette
also
: the portion drunk or inhaled in one such act
b
: a portion poured out or mixed for drinking : dose
3
mechanical engineering
a
: the force required to pull a plow or other implement
b
: load or load-pulling capacity
the draft of a typical draft horse
4a
: the act of moving loads by drawing or pulling : pull
b
: a team of animals together with what they draw
5a
: delineation, representation
a draft for a future skyscraper
c
: a preliminary sketch, outline, or version
the author's first draft a draft treaty
6
: the act, result, or plan of lengthening or stretching something (such as threads or metal)
b
: a portion of liquid so drawn
a draft of ale
c
: draft (see draft entry 2 sense 2) beer
a glass of draft
8
nautical
: the depth of water a ship draws (see draw entry 1 sense transitive 6) especially when loaded
9a(1)
: a system for or act of selecting individuals from a group (as for compulsory military service)
debating whether or not to institute a draft
(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
sports
: a system whereby exclusive rights to selected new players are apportioned among professional teams
He was chosen in the first round of the draft.
10a
: an order for the payment of money drawn (see draw entry 1 sense 7c) by one person or bank on another
b
: the act or an instance of drawing from or making demands upon something : demand
11a
: 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)
open the draft
12
: angle, taper
specifically, industrial engineering
: the taper (see taper entry 2 sense 2b) given to a pattern or die (see die entry 2 sense 3) so that the work can be easily withdrawn
13
: a pocket of reduced air pressure behind a moving object
also, racing sports
: the use of such a draft to save energy
on draft
: ready to be drawn from a receptacle
beer on draft
draft
adjectiveDefinition of draft (Entry 2 of 3)
1
animal husbandry
: used or adapted for drawing loads
draft horses
2
: being or having been ready to be drawn from a receptacle : being or having been on draft
drinking draft beer
draft
verb
drafted; drafting; drafts
Definition of draft (Entry 3 of 3)
1
: to select for some purpose: such as
a
: to conscript for military service
was drafted and sent overseas
b
sports
: to select (a professional athlete) by draft
got drafted by the Yankees
2a
: to draw the preliminary sketch, version, or plan of
draft legislation
3
: to draw off or away
water drafted by pumps
4
racing sports
: to stay close behind (another racer) so as to take advantage of the reduced air pressure created by the leading racer
1
: to practice draftsmanship
2
racing sports
: to draft another racer (as in car or bike racing)
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Other Words from draft
Verb
draftable
\
ˈdraf-tə-bəl
, ˈdräf-
\
adjective
, ˈdräf-
\
adjective
draftee
\
ˌdraf-ˈtē
, ˌdräf-
\
noun
, ˌdräf-
\
noun
drafter
\
ˈdraf-tər
, ˈdräf-
\
noun
, ˈdräf-
\
noun
Examples of draft in a Sentence
Noun
The published poem differs quite a bit from earlier drafts.
You may want to seal the windows with plastic to stop drafts.
Verb
The two countries are drafting a treaty.
The drama club drafted three teenagers to be in the parade.
The legislature debated drafting more soldiers.
The new rule prohibits teams from drafting players under 18.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The arrangement works like this: A select group of superfans are confidentially sent an early draft of a script.
—
Adam Epstein, Quartz, "The company using robots and fan input to pitch stories to Hollywood," 27 Feb. 2021
The draft regulation would be patterned after the regulation allowing conversion of historic mills to multifamily developments, according to the pre-application review.
—
Jesse Leavenworth, courant.com, "Manchester hotel proposed for conversion to apartment complex with pool, gym, easy highway access," 27 Feb. 2021
Another factor for Uzomah -- at least before free agency and the draft -- is the Bengals’ lack of depth at tight end.
—
Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "C.J. Uzomah working to put injury behind him," 27 Feb. 2021
The draft may be the way for general manager Rick Spielman to pursue this angle.
—
Steve Silverman, Forbes, "NFL Draft 2021: Defensive Linemen Will Be On Minnesota Vikings Radar," 27 Feb. 2021
The Dolphins need to add standout receivers in free agency and the draft to bolster the offense.
—
Safid Deen, sun-sentinel.com, "Deen: Watson or Tagovailoa? Here are 10 offseason tips for the Miami Dolphins | Analysis," 27 Feb. 2021
There’s also a new six-team MLB Draft League for draft-eligible high school and college players.
—
Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, "Is this the year Mike Trout finally gets back to the postseason?," 27 Feb. 2021
The Laker great was then later the GM of the franchise who made the draft-night trade for Kobe back in 1996.
—
Andy Nesbitt, USA TODAY, "Should the NBA listen to Kyrie Irving and change its logo to Kobe Bryant?," 26 Feb. 2021
The draft environmental impact report shows the first analysis done of the A’s plans to build a new stadium and move their operations from the Oakland Coliseum.
—
Sarah Ravani, San Francisco Chronicle, "A's plan to build a new waterfront stadium at Oakland's Jack London Square takes big step forward," 26 Feb. 2021
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
A decade earlier, when Mejdal was an analyst with the St. Louis Cardinals, his pre-draft statistical model had offered a bullish projection on Teaford’s professional future.
—
New York Times, "This Book Is Not About Baseball. But Baseball Teams Swear by It.," 24 Feb. 2021
Here’s an early look at some of the non-draft avenues the team could take for 2021.
—
Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, "Patriots could get their hands on some good receivers in free agency," 20 Jan. 2021
When Bruins prospects showed up for the annual post-draft summer camp, Chara typically would be hard at work in the weight room, setting the tone.
—
Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, "Zdeno Chara, a towering presence in Boston for 14 seasons, is leaving the Bruins," 30 Dec. 2020
In spring 2019, after leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore, Kaleb Wesson participated in the NBA’s pre-draft process.
—
Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "Kaleb Wesson making case for Warriors’ open two-way contract," 17 Dec. 2020
Those moments showcased the traits everyone celebrated during Cleveland’s pre-draft research.
—
Chris Fedor, cleveland, "How Isaac Okoro went from debated draft prospect to ready-made rookie and potential starter," 22 Dec. 2020
Herbert attributes his in-season success to his pre-draft work with quarterback mechanics experts Tom House and John Beck.
—
oregonlive, "Justin Herbert has proved he can be a leader for the Los Angeles Chargers," 22 Dec. 2020
But during Wiseman’s pre-draft workout for Golden State in Miami, team officials were impressed with his ability to take direction.
—
SFChronicle.com, "James Wiseman flashes potential in first practice with Warriors," 14 Dec. 2020
Two months after leaving school, Eubanks found himself in San Antonio for his first pre-draft workout with an NBA team.
—
Jeff Mcdonald, ExpressNews.com, "The ace is at home: How the Spurs’ Drew Eubanks went from baseball prospect to NBA contract," 30 Nov. 2020
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
In those first days, so little was known about the virus that officials scrambled to draft a playbook, Jeffrey Duchin, the health officer for Public Health–Seattle & King County, recently told me.
—
James Ross Gardner, The New Yorker, "A Year in America’s First COVID Epicenter," 1 Mar. 2021
Trudeau thanked Biden for the shift in style and substance, noting that American officials helping draft a statement about the meeting actually added references to climate change rather than deleting them.
—
Anne Gearan, Anchorage Daily News, "Biden tells the world ‘America is back.’ The world isn’t so sure.," 28 Feb. 2021
With only three weeks before the trade deadline the Pelicans could possibly trade away every guard the new front office did not draft, freeing playing time for Kira Lewis Jr. and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
—
Christopher Dodson, Forbes, "New Orleans Pelicans Could Possibly Trade Every Guard They Did Not Draft In The Next Three Weeks," 28 Feb. 2021
With that bill, Hollins had instructed the Utah State Board of Education to draft a training program for school resource officers with some focus on policing without bias.
—
The Salt Lake Tribune, "Black kids in Utah are arrested at 8 times their share of the population. This bill suggests a way to possibly change that.," 26 Feb. 2021
The Rangers got great lottery luck to draft these two talented players, but if the youngsters are going to play with the big club this much the team needs to actually develop them.
—
Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, "In shorter NHL season, coaches can't escape the hot seat: Here's who needs to step up," 26 Feb. 2021
This year, if the 49ers, like Philadelphia, wait until the second round to draft a QB, logical candidates include Stanford’s Davis Mills and Florida’s Kyle Trask.
—
Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle, "How might the 49ers make Jimmy Garoppolo fight for his job next season?," 26 Feb. 2021
State legislators took weeks to draft the bills and approve them due to some concerns over penalties and ensuring that sales were prohibited to minors.
—
Ivan Pereira, ABC News, "New Jersey legalizes recreational marijuana," 22 Feb. 2021
On the cusp of taking unified control of Washington, Democrats were working to draft rules that would allow the Senate to operate on dual tracks to confirm Mr. Biden’s cabinet and begin moving his legislative agenda while trying Mr. Trump.
—
New York Times, "Pelosi Holds Back Impeachment Article as House Builds Case," 15 Jan. 2021
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'draft.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Dictionary Entries near draft
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Last Updated
2 Mar 2021
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Draft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draft. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.
Style: MLA
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More Definitions for draft
draft
noun
English Language Learners Definition of draft
(Entry 1 of 3)
: 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
draft
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of draft (Entry 2 of 3)
of an animal
: used for pulling heavy loads
of beer
: stored in and poured from a large container
: not yet in the final form
draft
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of draft (Entry 3 of 3)
: 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
US
: to officially order (someone) to join the armed forces
See the full definition for draft in the English Language Learners Dictionary
draft
noun
\ ˈdraft
, ˈdräft \
, ˈdräft \
Kids Definition of draft
(Entry 1 of 3)
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
draft
adjectiveKids Definition of draft (Entry 2 of 3)
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
draft
verb
drafted; drafting
Kids Definition of draft (Entry 3 of 3)
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
draft
noun
variants:
or chiefly British draught \
ˈdraft, ˈdrȧft
\
\
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
Other Words from draft
drafty
or chiefly British draughty \
ˈdraf-tē, ˈdrȧf-
\ adjective
\ adjective
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draft
nounLegal Definition of draft
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a preliminary version of something (as a law)
2a
: a system for or act of selecting individuals from a group (as for military service)
b
: the act or process of selecting an individual (as for political candidacy) without his or her expressed consent
3
: an order for the payment of money drawn by one person or bank on another — see also drawee, drawer — compare check
—
documentary draft
: a draft that will be honored only upon the presentation of certain documents (as an invoice or certificate of title)
—
sight draft
: a draft payable on presentation
—
time draft
: a draft payable a specified number of days after the date of the draft or of its presentation
draft
transitive verbLegal Definition of draft (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to select for some purpose
specifically
: to conscript for military service
2
: to compose or prepare especially the preliminary version of
drafting legislation
: to practice draftsmanship
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Time Traveler for draft
The first known use of draft was in the 13th century
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