draft

noun

• 1a preliminary version of a piece of writing:the first draft of the party’s manifesto [as modifier]:a draft document
• a plan, sketch, or rough drawing: a manuscript draft representing the explorer’s latest findings
• [mass noun] Computing a mode of operation of a printer in which text is produced rapidly but with relatively low definition.

• 2a written order to pay a specified sum.

• 3 (the draft) US compulsory recruitment for military service:25 million men were subject to the draft
• North American a procedure whereby sports players are made available for selection or reselection by the teams in a league, usually with the earlier choices being given to the weaker teams: the White Sox chose him in the 13th round of the 1990 draft
• rare a group or individual selected from a larger group for a special duty, e.g. for military service: the draft and I were sent to the barracks near Folkestone

• 4US spelling of draught (noun).

verb

• 1prepare a preliminary version of (a document):I drafted a letter of resignation

• 2select (a person or group of people) and bring them somewhere for a certain purpose:riot police were drafted in to break up the blockade
• US conscript (someone) for military service: he was drafted in 1938
• North American select (a player) for a sports team through the draft: he was drafted by Winnipeg and traded the following spring

adjective

• US spelling of draught (adjective).