a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another
"The banker refused to honor the draft because the account had insufficient funds to cover the order for payment."
a preliminary sketch of a design or picture
"The artist spent all morning working on a rough draft of the mural before showing it to the committee."
any of the various versions in the development of a written work
"a preliminary draft"
"the final draft of the constitution"
a regulator for controlling the flow of air in a fireplace
"She adjusted the draft on the hearth to keep the fire burning steadily without sending smoke up the chimney."
compulsory military service
"After his university graduation, he was called up for draft to serve in the army."
A current of air, usually coming into a room or vehicle.
"I pulled my coat tighter because a cold draft was blowing straight through the open window."
In plain English: A draft is a noticeable flow of cool air that moves through an opening in a room.
"The draft from the open window made me shiver."
Usage: Use "draft" to describe an unwanted flow of cold air entering a space, such as through a window gap. Do not use this word to refer to a preliminary version of a document or plan.
To write a first version, make a preliminary sketch.
"She spent the morning drafting her speech before she delivered it to the crowd."
In plain English: To draft something means to write it down quickly as a first version before you finish it.
"The architect will draft the new building plans next week."
Usage: Use the verb draft when you are creating an initial or rough version of a document or plan before refining it. For example, you might draft a letter to send later after polishing the language.
Referring to drinks on tap, in contrast to bottled.
"He insisted we order draft beer instead of the bottled varieties to get a fresher taste."
In plain English: Draft describes something that is not finished yet and still needs work to be completed properly.
"The drafty window let in a cold breeze on this chilly night."
Usage: Use "draft" as an adjective specifically to describe beverages served directly from a keg or cask rather than from a bottle or can. This term is most commonly applied to beer and occasionally to soda when emphasizing the fresh, unpasteurized nature of the pour.
The word draft comes from Middle English draught, which originally meant "that which is pulled" or "something drawn up." It traveled into modern usage to describe a current of air or a preliminary version of writing, evolving from its Germanic roots related to pulling and drawing.