Draught
drɑːft
Definitions
5 meaningsA single act of swallowing liquid; a drink.
drɑːft
A single act of drinking or inhaling.
After the race, she took a long draught of water.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're super thirsty after playing outside. A draught is like that yummy gulp of water you take to cool down!
👶 For kids: When you take a big drink of something, that's a draught!
More Examples
He finished his draught of beer quickly.
She took a deep draught of the fresh air.
How It's Used
"He took a long draught of the cool water."
"The weary traveler took a draught of ale at the inn."
A portion of liquid, especially beer, drawn from a cask or other container.
drɑːft
A quantity of liquid drawn from a container.
The pub served a good draught of local beer.
💡 Simply: If you go to a bar and ask for a 'draught', you're asking for a glass of beer poured from a tap.
👶 For kids: It's like a whole cup or glass full of drink, like juice from a pitcher.
More Examples
He poured a draught of the wine into the glasses.
The farm had a reliable draught of water for the livestock.
How It's Used
"He ordered a draught of ale at the pub."
"The well provided a steady draught of water for the animals."
A current of air entering or leaving a room.
drɑːft
A current of air.
There was a slight draught coming from the crack in the window.
💡 Simply: Have you ever felt a sudden cold breeze coming in from a door or window? That's a draught!
👶 For kids: When air moves around and you feel it, that's a draught!
More Examples
The draught caused the candles to flicker.
Close the door; there's a cold draught coming in.
How It's Used
"The draught from the window made the curtains billow."
"She felt a sudden draught of cold air under the door."
(Archaic) A team of animals, usually used for pulling.
drɑːft
A selection or group of animals
A draught of oxen were used to plow the field.
💡 Simply: It used to mean a group of animals, like horses or oxen, that would pull a cart or plow.
👶 For kids: A group of animals like horses or oxen used to pull things.
More Examples
The old farm used a draught of horses for the heavy work.
A skilled teamster could control a large draught of animals.
How It's Used
"A draught of horses were needed to pull the carriage."
"The king inspected the draught of oxen."
To draw or pour a liquid from a container.
drɑːft
To draw a liquid from a container.
The bartender draughted the ale perfectly.
💡 Simply: To pour a drink from a tap, like beer!
👶 For kids: To pour a drink from a special tap, like at a restaurant.
More Examples
She draughted a pint of stout.
He went to the bar and asked them to draught a beer.
How It's Used
"The bartender will draught the ale."
Idioms & expressions
draught animal
An animal (such as a horse or ox) used for pulling heavy loads.
"The farm still relied on draught animals to plow the fields."
take a draught
To have a drink or swallow of a liquid.
"She took a draught of water to cool down."
From Middle English *draught*, from Old English *dræht* ('a drawing, a pull, a quantity drunk'), from Proto-Germanic *draganą* ('to draw'). Related to the verb 'draw'.
The word 'draught' has been used since Old English, and its spelling has evolved over time. It also refers to 'draft' in the modern sense of an official plan or written document. Both usages can be seen in historical texts.
Memory tip
Think of taking a deep 'draught' from a water bottle after a run.