draft
draft
noun
/drɑːft/
1 countable a rough written version of something that is not yet in its final form
This is only the first draft of my speech.
I've made a rough draft of the letter.
The final published version differs from earlier drafts in many key details.
the final draft (= the final version)
a draft report/plan/bill/resolution
a draft document/proposal
the draft constitution/legislation/agreement
The legislation is still in draft form.
TOPICS Law and justice B2
TOPICS Phones, email and the internet B2
TOPICS Business B2
Collocations
adjective
early
first
initial
verb + draft
draw up
prepare
produce
draft + noun
agreement
bill
budget
preposition
in a/​the draft
phrases
in draft form
2 countable (finance) a written order to a bank to pay money to somebody
Payment must be made by bank draft drawn on a UK bank.
​3 the draft singular (especially US English)
(British English usually conscription)
the practice of ordering people by law to join the armed forces
TOPICS War and conflict C2
4 singular (North American English) a system in which professional teams in some sports choose players each year from among college students
He was the fourth player chosen in the 2017 draft, but the first of his class to reach the major leagues.
5 ​(North American English) (British English draught) countable a flow of cool air in a room or other small space
Can you shut the door? There's a draft in here.
6 ​(North American English) (British English draught) countable (formal) one continuous action of swallowing liquid (= making it go down your throat); the amount swallowed
He took a deep draft of his beer.
7 ​(North American English) (British English draught) countable (old use or literary) medicine in a liquid form
a sleeping draft (= one that makes you sleep)
TOPICS Social issues C2
draft
verb (drafts, drafted, drafted, drafting)
/drɑːft/
(also draught especially in British English)
1 draft something to write the first rough version of something such as a letter, speech, book or law
I'll draft a letter for you.
The military began drafting a new constitution.
Members of Parliament are busy drafting new legislation.
to draft a bill/law/plan
TOPICS Literature and writing B2
TOPICS Law and justice B2
TOPICS Business B2
TOPICS Phones, email and the internet B2
e.g.
drafting board 製図台
Collocations
adverb
carefully
properly
well
2 draft somebody + adv./prep. to choose people and send them somewhere for a special task
Extra police are being drafted in to control the crowds.
​3 usually passive (North American English)
(also conscript especially in British English)
to order somebody by law to join the armed forces
be drafted (into something)
They were drafted into the army.
TOPICS War and conflict C2
e.g.
/13sardialouge/No. 034 Candidate Crew 機兵搭乗員候補#5fe9c630bdb0e500006e6ffc
draft
adjective
/drɑːft/
(especially North American English)
(British English draught)
1 ​usually before noun served from a large container (= a barrel) rather than in a bottle
draft beer
2 ​only before noun used for pulling heavy loads
a draft horse
Word Origin
mid 16th cent.: phonetic spelling of draught.