1
2
a
: 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
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
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)
7
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
9
a(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.
10
a
: 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
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)
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taper (see taper entry 2 sense 2b) given to a pattern or die (see die entry 2 sense 3) so that the work can be easily withdrawn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
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
drafted; drafting; drafts
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
2
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)
Synonyms
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jasmine Browley, Essence, 22 Apr. 2024
Round 1 of the draft is Thursday night; Rounds 2 and 3 are Friday and the final four rounds take place on Saturday.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
From the archives: Charisma Osborne After five years of playing basketball for UCLA, former Windward standout Charisma Osborne was the first player taken in the third round of the WNBA draft by Phoenix.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
The New York Jets hold the final two picks in the 2024 draft.
—Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
The draft is set for June 26-27 with a new two-day format.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 21 Apr. 2024
And during the city's upcoming draft party historic churches will continue to serve.
—Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024
As the draft approaches April 25-27, the Miami Herald examines the Dolphins’ tight end options.
—Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024
The book has followed him in draft form through a MacArthur Fellowship, the releases of three other award-winning titles, the hosting of two podcasts, creating over a hundred Spotify playlists, and through the paradigm shift that the pandemic brought to the world’s doorstep.
—Hazlitt, 10 Apr. 2024
Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 12 July 2023
Tune did a pre-draft workout with the Cowboys.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 13 Apr. 2023
Jake Chisholm Chisholm, who was a standout running back at Ryle High School before a collegiate career at the University of Dayton, will participate in the Cincinnati Bengals local pre-draft workout later this month.
—Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 6 Apr. 2023
At 6-foot-2 and turning 23 before the next NBA season gets underway, Sasser will have size and age working against him throughout the pre-draft process.
—Josh Criswell, Chron, 25 Mar. 2023
Even without the knee injury, Hooker has other questions to answer in the pre-draft process.
—The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2023
At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic had already wiped out his best chance at finding a professional basketball job in the U.S., his pre-draft workouts and summer plans completely altered when his college career ended on a Sunday and the world stopped March 11, 2020, three days later.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2022
Former Auburn player Jabari Smith Jr. talks with members of the media after his pre-draft workout with the Orlando Magic.
—Khobi Price, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2022
Although my pre-draft plan was to build a balanced roster, Ohtani was certainly worth grabbing at a discount.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2023
Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
There also is a crazy-talk rumor Bolts may trade Justin Herbert so Jim Harbaugh can draft his old Wolverine QB, J.J. McCarthy, here.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024
Defensive backs Nate Wiggins, Clemson: In one of The Observer’s many mock drafts, Wiggins was chosen by the Carolina Panthers with the 33rd overall pick — breaking the troubling tradition of the Panthers not drafting a player from Clemson.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2024
The Dodgers drafted White when Farhan Zaidi was the general manager in Los Angeles, and Giants fans may remember White from his time on the other side of the rivalry, serving as a thorn in the Giants’ side in five appearances — one start — before being dealt to Toronto at the 2022 trade deadline.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
Leaders contemplating reforms to existing policies or drafting new ones can do so more confidently than before.
—Kelly Sims Gallagher, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Only Trevor Lawrence, who went first to the Jaguars, remains with the club who drafted him.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
The budget was finalized about three weeks after its original April 1 due date and came after a cyberattack hampered the state office that drafts bills for the Legislature.
—Maysoon Khan and Anthony Izaguirre, Quartz, 20 Apr. 2024
So the three researchers decided to draft a clear, concise statement and circulate it among their colleagues for endorsement.
—Quanta Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024
Noun
Angel Reese, one of the draft’s signed to the Chicago Sky, previously spoke to the pay gap and her concerns about the league.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 22 Apr. 2024
Round 1 of the draft is Thursday night; Rounds 2 and 3 are Friday and the final four rounds take place on Saturday.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
From the archives: Charisma Osborne After five years of playing basketball for UCLA, former Windward standout Charisma Osborne was the first player taken in the third round of the WNBA draft by Phoenix.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
The New York Jets hold the final two picks in the 2024 draft.
—Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
The draft is set for June 26-27 with a new two-day format.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 21 Apr. 2024
And during the city's upcoming draft party historic churches will continue to serve.
—Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024
As the draft approaches April 25-27, the Miami Herald examines the Dolphins’ tight end options.
—Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024
The book has followed him in draft form through a MacArthur Fellowship, the releases of three other award-winning titles, the hosting of two podcasts, creating over a hundred Spotify playlists, and through the paradigm shift that the pandemic brought to the world’s doorstep.
—Hazlitt, 10 Apr. 2024
Adjective
First round:Cincinnati Reds draft Wake Forest pitcher Rhett Lowder in first round of 2023 MLB Draft
The Reds’ draft picks who sign with the team will report to Goodyear, Arizona, for post-draft camp before reporting to minor league affiliate teams.
—Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 12 July 2023
Tune did a pre-draft workout with the Cowboys.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 13 Apr. 2023
Jake Chisholm Chisholm, who was a standout running back at Ryle High School before a collegiate career at the University of Dayton, will participate in the Cincinnati Bengals local pre-draft workout later this month.
—Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 6 Apr. 2023
At 6-foot-2 and turning 23 before the next NBA season gets underway, Sasser will have size and age working against him throughout the pre-draft process.
—Josh Criswell, Chron, 25 Mar. 2023
Even without the knee injury, Hooker has other questions to answer in the pre-draft process.
—The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2023
At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic had already wiped out his best chance at finding a professional basketball job in the U.S., his pre-draft workouts and summer plans completely altered when his college career ended on a Sunday and the world stopped March 11, 2020, three days later.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2022
Former Auburn player Jabari Smith Jr. talks with members of the media after his pre-draft workout with the Orlando Magic.
—Khobi Price, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2022
Although my pre-draft plan was to build a balanced roster, Ohtani was certainly worth grabbing at a discount.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2023
Verb
The Rams drafted quarterback Stetson Bennett in the fourth round last season to be Matthew Stafford’s backup and possible successor.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
There also is a crazy-talk rumor Bolts may trade Justin Herbert so Jim Harbaugh can draft his old Wolverine QB, J.J. McCarthy, here.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024
Defensive backs Nate Wiggins, Clemson: In one of The Observer’s many mock drafts, Wiggins was chosen by the Carolina Panthers with the 33rd overall pick — breaking the troubling tradition of the Panthers not drafting a player from Clemson.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2024
The Dodgers drafted White when Farhan Zaidi was the general manager in Los Angeles, and Giants fans may remember White from his time on the other side of the rivalry, serving as a thorn in the Giants’ side in five appearances — one start — before being dealt to Toronto at the 2022 trade deadline.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
Leaders contemplating reforms to existing policies or drafting new ones can do so more confidently than before.
—Kelly Sims Gallagher, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Only Trevor Lawrence, who went first to the Jaguars, remains with the club who drafted him.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
The budget was finalized about three weeks after its original April 1 due date and came after a cyberattack hampered the state office that drafts bills for the Legislature.
—Maysoon Khan and Anthony Izaguirre, Quartz, 20 Apr. 2024
So the three researchers decided to draft a clear, concise statement and circulate it among their colleagues for endorsement.
—Quanta Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'draft.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near draft
Cite this Entry
“Draft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draft. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
draft
1 of 3 noun
ˈdraft 
ˈdrȧft
1
a
: the act of pulling or hauling
b
: the thing or amount pulled
2
: the act or an instance of drinking or inhaling
also
: the portion drunk or inhaled at one time
3
4
a
: the act of drawing out liquid (as from a barrel)
b
: a portion of liquid drawn out
5
: the depth of water required for a ship to float when loaded
6
: a picking of persons for required military service
7
: an order (as a check) issued by one party to another (as a bank) to pay money to a third party
8
a
: a current of air
b
: a device to regulate an air supply (as in a stove)
draft
2 of 3 adjective1
: used for pulling loads
draft animals
2
: being a version to be finished later
a draft treaty
3
: being or having been on draft
draft beer
draft
3 of 3 verb1
: to pick especially for required military service
2
a
: to make a draft of : outline
draft a plan
b
: to put into written form
draft an essay
drafter
noun
Medical Definition
draft
noun
variants
or chiefly British draught
1
: a portion (as of medicine) poured out or mixed for drinking : dose
2
: a current of air in a closed-in space
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