draft
pronunciation
How to pronounce draft in British English:
UK [drɑːft]
How to pronounce draft in American English:
US [dræft]
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- Noun:
- a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another
- a current of air (usually coming into a room or vehicle)
- a preliminary sketch of a design or picture
- a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg
- preliminary version of a written work
- the depth of a vessel's keel below the surface (especially when loaded)
- a regulator for controlling the flow of air in a fireplace
- a dose of liquid medicine
- compulsory military service
- a large and hurried swallow
- the act of moving a load by drawing or pulling
-
- Verb:
- draw up an outline or sketch for something
- engage somebody to enter the army
- make a blueprint of
Word Origin
- draft (n.)
- c. 1500, spelling variant of draught (q.v.) to reflect change in pronunciation. Among the senses that have gone with this form of the word in American English, the meaning "rough copy of a writing" (something "drawn") is attested from 14c.; that of "preliminary sketch from which a final copy is made" is from 1520s; that of "flow of a current of air" is from c. 1770. Of beer from the 1830s, in reference to the method of "drawing" it from the cask. Sense in bank draft is from 1745. The meaning "a drawing off a group for special duty" is from 1703, in U.S. especially of military service; the verb in this sense first recorded 1714. Related: Drafted; drafting.
Example
- 1. Democrats hope to finish the draft in a week .
- 2. The draft 's content is even worse than the process .
- 3. They had a drastic dispute over the draft .
- 4. Try not to edit while you 're creating your first draft .
- 5. It also sets up a committee to institute an international draft by 2014 .