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REFERENCE

draft

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈdɹæft// UK //dɹˈɑːft// draft
  1. 1 preliminary text (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a first version of a piece of writing that will be changed or improved later.

    a preliminary version of a written work, such as a manuscript, report, or legal document, intended for further revision.

    Example

    I need to finish the first draft of my essay by tomorrow morning.

    Example

    The legal team submitted a rough draft of the contract for review, noting several clauses that required further negotiation.
    • final copy
  2. 2 current of air (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    a cold current of air that comes into a room or vehicle.

    a current of cool air in a confined space, typically caused by a lack of insulation or an open window.

    Example

    Can you close the window? There is a cold draft in here.

    Example

    The old Victorian house was notorious for its drafts, which made the living room nearly impossible to heat during the winter months.

    Usage

    Often spelled 'draught' in British English.
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  1. 3 military conscription (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Politics

    a system where the government forces people to join the military.

    compulsory recruitment for military service, often determined by a lottery or specific selection criteria.

    Example

    During the war, many young men were called up by the draft.

    Example

    The government faced widespread protests after announcing the reinstatement of the draft to bolster the standing army.
  2. 4 sports selection (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Sport

    a system where professional teams take turns choosing new players.

    a process in professional sports where teams select players from a pool of eligible candidates, typically from colleges or junior leagues.

    Example

    The young quarterback was the first pick in the annual draft.

    Example

    The team's strategy for the upcoming draft focused on strengthening their defensive line with high-potential college graduates.
  3. 5 nautical depth (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Nautical

    the depth of water a ship needs to stay afloat.

    the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull, determining the minimum depth of water required for navigation.

    Example

    The ship has a deep draft, so it cannot enter the shallow harbour.

    Example

    The captain expressed concern that the vessel's draft was too great for the silted canal, risking a grounding at low tide.
  4. 6 to write a version (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    to write the first version of something.

    to prepare a preliminary version of a text or plan, often involving the structuring of core arguments or data.

    Example

    She spent the afternoon drafting a letter to the city council.

    Example

    The committee spent several weeks drafting the new policy, ensuring that every department's concerns were addressed in the final document.
  5. 7 to select for a role (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to choose someone for a specific job or task, often when they did not volunteer.

    to select or recruit an individual for a specific purpose, role, or duty, often in a formal or compulsory capacity.

    Example

    He was drafted into the committee because of his expertise in finance.

    Example

    Despite his reluctance to enter politics, he was eventually drafted by the party to run for the vacant senate seat.
  6. 8 drinks on tap (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate American English

    describing beer or other drinks served from a large container rather than a bottle.

    referring to beverages, particularly beer, drawn from a cask or keg through a tap system.

    Example

    The bar has several local draft beers for you to try.

    Example

    The establishment prides itself on its selection of draft ales, which are maintained at a precise temperature to preserve their flavour profile.
  7. 9 pulling loads (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    describing animals used for pulling heavy things like carts or ploughs.

    referring to animals, such as horses or oxen, bred and used for pulling heavy loads or agricultural machinery.

    Example

    Draft horses are much larger and stronger than racing horses.

    Example

    The farm still employs draft animals for certain tasks where modern tractors would damage the delicate soil structure.
Origin

A phonetic spelling of draught (compare laughter), from Middle English draught, draght (“that which is pulled; that which is drawn up, a design”), from Old English dreaht, dræht, from Proto-West Germanic drahti, drahtu, from Proto-Germanic *drahtuz (“a pulling, drawing”). Cognate with Dutch dracht, German Tracht, Icelandic dráttur. By surface analysis, draw + -t.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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