Draft vs. Wind: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 30, 2023
"Draft" refers to a current of air in a closed space, while "Wind" is the natural movement of air outdoors.
Key Differences
"Draft" and "Wind" are both related to the movement of air, but they differ significantly in their context and connotation. "Draft" typically describes a current of cooler air in a confined space, often perceived as a chill, especially in indoor settings or enclosed areas.
"Wind," in contrast, pertains to the natural movement of air on the Earth's surface, primarily outdoors. It's a meteorological phenomenon and can range from a gentle breeze to a violent storm, depending on its velocity and force, influencing weather patterns and geographical climates.
"Draft" can also extend beyond a mere gust of air in a room; it has various meanings, including preliminary versions of written works, conscription into military service, or the depth of water required to float a ship. However, when discussing "Draft" in comparison with "Wind," it is the movement of air that is pertinent.
"Wind" also has varied meanings, such as to turn or twist something, but its primary association is with the natural, often unpredictable, currents of air outside. It's an elemental force, shaping environments, and ecosystems, from spreading seeds to creating waves.
To sum up, while both "Draft" and "Wind" involve air movement, "Draft" is localized and often artificial or incidental, confined to closed spaces, whereas "Wind" is a broader, natural occurrence, integral to the Earth's atmosphere and environmental processes.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Air current in a closed space
Natural movement of air outdoors
Context
Indoor or enclosed areas
Outdoors, environmental
Associated Phenomena
Can cause a chill, linked to ventilation
Affects weather, can range from breeze to storm
Additional Meanings
Preliminary version, military conscription, etc.
To turn, to twist, etc.
Impact
More personal or localized
Wide-ranging, environmental
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Draft and Wind Definitions
Draft
"Draft refers to a current of air in a confined space."
I felt a cold draft coming from the window.
Wind
"Wind refers to the natural flow of air on Earth's surface."
The wind rustled the leaves in the yard.
Draft
"Draft can mean a preliminary version of a piece of writing."
He's working on the third draft of his novel.
Wind
"Wind can mean to twist or turn something."
He had to wind the rope tightly around the post.
Draft
"Draft is the act of conscripting individuals into the military."
He received a draft notice during the war.
Wind
"Wind may mean something that's difficult to predict or catch."
Trying to get a straight answer from him is like chasing the wind.
Draft
"Draft can refer to drawing in a person or resource for a specific purpose."
She was drafted into the project because of her expertise.
Wind
Moving air, especially a natural and perceptible movement of air parallel to or along the ground.
Draft
A current of air in an enclosed area.
Wind
A movement of air generated artificially, as by bellows or a fan.
Draft
A device that regulates the flow or circulation of air.
Wind
The direction from which a movement of air comes
The wind is north-northwest.
Draft
The act of pulling loads; traction.
Wind
A movement of air coming from one of the four cardinal points of the compass
The four winds.
Draft
Something that is pulled or drawn; a load.
Wind
Moving air carrying sound, an odor, or a scent.
Draft
A team of animals used to pull loads.
Wind
Breath, especially normal or adequate breathing; respiration
Had the wind knocked out of them.
Draft
(Nautical)The depth of a vessel's keel below the water line, especially when loaded
A river vessel of shallow draft.
Wind
Gas produced in the stomach or intestines during digestion; flatulence.
Draft
A heavy demand on resources.
Wind
The brass and woodwinds sections of a band or orchestra.
Draft
A written order directing the payment of money from an account or fund.
Wind
Wind instruments or their players considered as a group.
Draft
A gulp, swallow, or inhalation.
Wind
Woodwinds.
Draft
The amount taken in by a single act of drinking or inhaling.
Wind
Something that disrupts or destroys
The winds of war.
Draft
A measured portion; a dose.
Wind
A tendency; a trend
The winds of change.
Draft
The drawing of a liquid, as from a cask or keg.
Wind
Information, especially of something concealed; intimation
Trouble will ensue if wind of this scandal gets out.
Draft
An amount drawn
Ordered two drafts of ale.
Wind
Speech or writing empty of meaning; verbiage
His remarks on the subject are nothing but wind.
Draft
The process or method of selecting one or more individuals from a group, as for a service or duty
A candidate who did not pursue the nomination, but accepted a draft by the party convention.
Wind
Vain self-importance; pomposity
An expert who was full of wind even before becoming famous.
Draft
Compulsory enrollment in the armed forces; conscription.
Wind
The act of winding.
Draft
A body of people selected or conscripted.
Wind
A single turn, twist, or curve.
Draft
(Sports)A system in which the exclusive rights to new players are distributed among professional teams.
Wind
To expose to free movement of air; ventilate or dry.
Draft
The act of drawing in a fishing net.
Wind
To detect the smell of; catch a scent of.
Draft
The quantity of fish caught.
Wind
To pursue by following a scent.
Draft
Any of various stages in the development of a plan, document, or picture
A preliminary draft of a report.
The final draft of a paper.
Wind
To cause to be out of or short of breath.
Draft
A representation of something to be constructed.
Wind
To afford a recovery of breath
Stopped to wind and water the horses.
Draft
A narrow line chiseled on a stone to guide a stonecutter in leveling its surface.
Wind
To wrap (something) around a center or another object once or repeatedly
Wind string around a spool.
Draft
A slight taper given a die to facilitate the removal of a casting.
Wind
To wrap or encircle (an object) in a series of coils; entwine
Wound her injured leg with a bandage.
Wound the waist of the gown with lace and ribbons.
Draft
An allowance made for loss in weight of merchandise.
Wind
To go along (a curving or twisting course)
Wind a path through the mountains.
Draft
To select from a group for some usually compulsory service
Drafted into the army.
Wind
To proceed on (one's way) with a curving or twisting course.
Draft
To select from a group for placement on a sports team.
Wind
To introduce in a disguised or devious manner; insinuate
He wound a plea for money into his letter.
Draft
To draw up a preliminary version of or plan for.
Wind
To turn (a crank, for example) in a series of circular motions.
Draft
To create by thinking and writing; compose
Draft a speech.
Wind
To coil the spring of (a mechanism) by turning a stem or cord, for example
Wind a watch.
Draft
To work as a drafter.
Wind
To coil (thread, for example), as onto a spool or into a ball.
Draft
To move, ride, or drive close behind a fast-moving object so as to take advantage of the slipstream, especially in a race.
Wind
To remove or unwind (thread, for example), as from a spool
Wound the line off the reel.
Draft
Suited for or used for drawing heavy loads
Oxen and other draft animals.
Wind
To lift or haul by means of a windlass or winch
Wind the pail to the top of the well.
Draft
Drawn from a cask or tap
Draft beer.
Wind
To move in or have a curving or twisting course
A river winding through a valley.
Draft
(US spelling) A current of air, usually coming into a room or vehicle.
Wind
To move in or have a spiral or circular course
A column of smoke winding into the sky.
Draft
(US spelling) The draw through a flue of gasses (smoke) resulting from a combustion process.
Wind
To be coiled or spiraled
The vine wound about the trellis.
Draft
(US spelling) An act of drinking.
Wind
To be twisted or whorled into curved forms.
Draft
(US spelling) The quantity of liquid (such as water, alcohol, or medicine) drunk in one swallow.
To drink at a draft
She took a deep draft from the bottle of water.
Wind
To proceed misleadingly or insidiously in discourse or conduct.
Draft
(US spelling) A dose (of medicine, alcohol, etc.).
Wind
To become wound
A clock that winds with difficulty.
Draft
(US spelling) Liquid, especially beer or other alcohol, drawn from a cask or keg rather than a bottle or can.
Wind
To blow (a wind instrument).
Draft
The depth of water needed to float a particular ship; the depth from the waterline to the bottom of a vessel's hull; the depth of water drawn by a vessel.
Wind
To sound by blowing.
Draft
An early version of a written work (such as a book or e-mail) or drawing.
I have to revise the first draft of my term paper.
His first drafts were better than most authors' final products.
Wind
Real or perceived movement of atmospheric air usually caused by convection or differences in air pressure.
The wind blew through her hair as she stood on the deck of the ship.
As they accelerated onto the motorway, the wind tore the plywood off the car's roof-rack.
The winds in Chicago are fierce.
Draft
A preliminary sketch or outline for a plan.
Wind
Air artificially put in motion by any force or action.
The wind of a cannon ball;
The wind of a bellows
Draft
A cheque, an order for money to be paid.
Wind
The ability to breathe easily.
After the second lap he was already out of wind.
The fall knocked the wind out of him.
Draft
Conscription, the system of forcing people to serve in the military.
He left the country to avoid the draft.
Wind
News of an event, especially by hearsay or gossip. (Used with catch, often in the past tense.)
Steve caught wind of Martha's dalliance with his best friend.
Draft
A system of forcing or convincing people to take an elected position.
Wind
One of the five basic elements in Indian and Japanese models of the Classical elements.
Draft
A system of assigning rookie players to professional sports teams.
Wind
Flatus.
Eww. Someone just passed wind.
Draft
The pulling force (tension) on couplers and draft gear during a slack stretched condition.
Wind
Breath modulated by the respiratory and vocal organs, or by an instrument.
Draft
The bevel given to the pattern for a casting, so that it can be drawn from the sand without damaging the mould.
Wind
(music) The woodwind section of an orchestra. Occasionally also used to include the brass section.
Draft
The action or an act (especially of a beast of burden or vehicle) of pulling something along or back.
Using oxen for draft
Shot forth an arrow with a mighty draft
Wind
A direction from which the wind may blow; a point of the compass; especially, one of the cardinal points, which are often called the "four winds".
Draft
The act of drawing in a net for fish.
Wind
Types of playing-tile in the game of mah-jongg, named after the four winds.
Draft
That which is drawn in; a catch, a haul.
He cast his net, which brought him a very great draft.
Wind
A disease of sheep, in which the intestines are distended with air, or rather affected with a violent inflammation. It occurs immediately after shearing.
Draft
A quantity that is requisitioned or drawn out from a larger population.
Wind
Mere breath or talk; empty effort; idle words.
Draft
(transitive) To write a first version, make a preliminary sketch.
Wind
A bird, the dotterel.
Draft
To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of, as in architectural and mechanical drawing.
Wind
The region of the solar plexus, where a blow may paralyze the diaphragm and cause temporary loss of breath or other injury.
Draft
To write a law.
Wind
The act of winding or turning; a turn; a bend; a twist.
Draft
To conscript a person, force a person to serve in some capacity, especially in the military.
He was drafted during the Vietnam War.
Wind
(transitive) To blow air through a wind instrument or horn to make a sound.
Draft
To select someone (or something) for a particular role or purpose.
There was a campaign to draft Smith to run for President.
They drafted me to be the chairperson of the new committee.
Wind
(transitive) To cause (someone) to become breathless, as by a blow to the abdomen, or by physical exertion, running, etc.
The boxer was winded during round two.
Draft
To select and separate an animal or animals from a group.
The calves were drafted from the cows.
Wind
To cause a baby to bring up wind by patting its back after being fed.
Draft
To select a rookie player onto a professional sports team.
After his last year of college football, he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins.
Wind
To turn a boat or ship around, so that the wind strikes it on the opposite side.
Draft
(ambitransitive) To follow very closely (behind another vehicle), thereby providing an aerodynamic advantage to both lead and follower and conserving energy or increasing speed.
Wind
(transitive) To expose to the wind; to winnow; to ventilate.
Draft
To draw out; to call forth.
Wind
(transitive) To perceive or follow by scent.
The hounds winded the game.
Draft
To draw fibers out of a clump, for spinning in the production of yarn.
Wind
(transitive) To rest (a horse, etc.) in order to allow the breath to be recovered; to breathe.
Draft
(not comparable) Referring to drinks on tap, in contrast to bottled.
I'd rather have a fresh, cheap draft beer.
Wind
(transitive) To turn a windmill so that its sails face into the wind.
Draft
Referring to animals used for pulling heavy loads.
A Clydesdale is a draft horse.
Wind
(transitive) To turn coils of (a cord or something similar) around something.
To wind thread on a spool or into a ball
Draft
The act of drawing; also, the thing drawn. Same as Draught.
Everything available for draft burden.
Wind
(transitive) To tighten the spring of a clockwork mechanism such as that of a clock.
Please wind that old-fashioned alarm clock.
Draft
A selecting or detaching of soldiers from an army, or from any part of it, or from a military post; also from any district, or any company or collection of persons, or from the people at large; also, the body of men thus drafted.
Several of the States had supplied the deficiency by drafts to serve for the year.
Wind
(transitive) To entwist; to enfold; to encircle.
Draft
An order from one person or party to another, directing the payment of money; a bill of exchange.
I thought it most prudent to defer the drafts till advice was received of the progress of the loan.
Wind
(intransitive) To travel in a way that is not straight.
Vines wind round a pole.
The river winds through the plain.
Draft
An allowance or deduction made from the gross weight of goods.
Wind
(transitive) To have complete control over; to turn and bend at one's pleasure; to vary or alter or will; to regulate; to govern.
Draft
A drawing of lines for a plan; a plan delineated, or drawn in outline; a delineation. See Draught.
Wind
(transitive) To introduce by insinuation; to insinuate.
Draft
The form of any writing as first drawn up; the first rough sketch of written composition, to be filled in, or completed. See Draught.
Wind
(transitive) To cover or surround with something coiled about.
To wind a rope with twine
Draft
A narrow border left on a finished stone, worked differently from the rest of its face.
Wind
(transitive) To cause to move by exerting a winding force; to haul or hoist, as by a winch.
Draft
The slant given to the furrows in the dress of a millstone.
Wind
To turn (a ship) around, end for end.
Draft
Depth of water necessary to float a ship. See Draught.
Wind
To turn completely, or with repeated turns; especially, to turn about something fixed; to cause to form convolutions about anything; to coil; to twine; to twist; to wreathe; as, to wind thread on a spool or into a ball.
Whether to windThe woodbine round this arbor.
Draft
A current of air. Same as Draught.
Wind
To entwist; to infold; to encircle.
Sleep, and I will wind thee in arms.
Draft
A quantity of liquid poured out for drinking; a dose.
Wind
To have complete control over; to turn and bend at one's pleasure; to vary or alter or will; to regulate; to govern.
In his terms so he would him wind.
Gifts blind the wise, and bribes do pleaseAnd wind all other witnesses.
Were our legislature vested in the prince, he might wind and turn our constitution at his pleasure.
Draft
The act of drawing a quantity of liquid from a large container; also, the quantity of liquid so drawn.
Wind
To introduce by insinuation; to insinuate.
You have contrived . . . to windYourself into a power tyrannical.
Little arts and dexterities they have to wind in such things into discourse.
Draft
A device for regulating the flow of gases in a chimney, stovepipe, fireplace, etc.; as, to close the chimney draft. It is usually a flat plate of the same internal dimensions as the flue, which can be rotated to be parallel to or perpendicular to the current of gases.
Wind
To cover or surround with something coiled about; as, to wind a rope with twine.
Draft
Pertaining to, or used for, drawing or pulling (as vehicles, loads, etc.). Same as Draught; as, a draft horse.
Wind
To turn completely or repeatedly; to become coiled about anything; to assume a convolved or spiral form; as, vines wind round a pole.
So swift your judgments turn and wind.
Draft
Relating to, or characterized by, a draft, or current of air. Same as Draught.
Wind
To have a circular course or direction; to crook; to bend; to meander; as, to wind in and out among trees.
And where the valley winded out below,The murmuring main was heard, and scarcely heard, to flow.
He therefore turned him to the steep and rocky path which . . . winded through the thickets of wild boxwood and other low aromatic shrubs.
Draft
To draw the outline of; to delineate.
Wind
To go to the one side or the other; to move this way and that; to double on one's course; as, a hare pursued turns and winds.
The lowing herd wind lowly o'er the lea.
To wind out, to extricate one's self; to escape.Long struggling underneath are they could windOut of such prison.
Draft
To compose and write; as, to draft a memorial.
Wind
To expose to the wind; to winnow; to ventilate.
Draft
To draw from a military band or post, or from any district, company, or society; to detach; to select; especially, to compulsorily select and induct members of a population to serve in the armed forces.
HotLips Houlihan: How did a degenerate person like him achieve such a position of responsibility in the army?Radar: He was drafted.
Some royal seminary in Upper Egypt, from whence they drafted novices to supply their colleges and temples.
Wind
To perceive or follow by the scent; to scent; to nose; as, the hounds winded the game.
Draft
To transfer by draft.
All her rents been drafted to London.
Wind
To drive hard, or force to violent exertion, as a horse, so as to render scant of wind; to put out of breath.
Draft
A document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another
Wind
To blow; to sound by blowing; esp., to sound with prolonged and mutually involved notes.
Ye vigorous swains, while youth ferments your blood, . . . Wind the shrill horn.
That blast was winded by the king.
Draft
A current of air (usually coming into a room or vehicle)
Wind
The act of winding or turning; a turn; a bend; a twist; a winding.
Draft
A preliminary sketch of a design or picture
Wind
Air naturally in motion with any degree of velocity; a current of air.
Except wind stands as never it stood,It is an ill wind that turns none to good.
Winds were soft, and woods were green.
Draft
A serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg;
They served beer on draft
Wind
Air artificially put in motion by any force or action; as, the wind of a cannon ball; the wind of a bellows.
Draft
Preliminary version of a written work
Wind
Breath modulated by the respiratory and vocal organs, or by an instrument.
Their instruments were various in their kind,Some for the bow, and some for breathing wind.
Draft
The depth of a vessel's keel below the surface (especially when loaded)
Wind
Power of respiration; breath.
If my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I would repent.
Draft
A regulator for controlling the flow of air in a fireplace
Wind
Air or gas generated in the stomach or bowels; flatulence; as, to be troubled with wind.
Draft
A dose of liquid medicine;
He took a sleeping draft
Wind
Air impregnated with an odor or scent.
A pack of dogfish had him in the wind.
Draft
Compulsory military service
Wind
A direction from which the wind may blow; a point of the compass; especially, one of the cardinal points, which are often called the four winds.
Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain.
Draft
A large and hurried swallow;
He finished it at a single gulp
Wind
A disease of sheep, in which the intestines are distended with air, or rather affected with a violent inflammation. It occurs immediately after shearing.
Draft
The act of moving a load by drawing or pulling
Wind
Mere breath or talk; empty effort; idle words.
Nor think thou with windOf airy threats to awe.
Draft
Draw up an outline or sketch for something;
Draft a speech
Wind
The dotterel.
Draft
Engage somebody to enter the army
Wind
The region of the pit of the stomach, where a blow may paralyze the diaphragm and cause temporary loss of breath or other injury; the mark.
Draft
Make a blueprint of
Wind
Air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure;
Trees bent under the fierce winds
When there is no wind, row
The radioactivity was being swept upwards by the air current and out into the atmosphere
Draft
"Draft denotes the depth of water a ship needs to float."
The ship's draft determines which ports it can enter.
Wind
A tendency or force that influences events;
The winds of change
Wind
Breath;
The collision knocked the wind out of him
Wind
Empty rhetoric or insincere or exaggerated talk;
That's a lot of wind
Don't give me any of that jazz
Wind
An indication of potential opportunity;
He got a tip on the stock market
A good lead for a job
Wind
A musical instrument in which the sound is produced by an enclosed column of air that is moved by the breath
Wind
A reflex that expels intestinal gas through the anus
Wind
The act of winding or twisting;
He put the key in the old clock and gave it a good wind
Wind
To move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course;
The river winds through the hills
The path meanders through the vineyards
Sometimes, the gout wanders through the entire body
Wind
Extend in curves and turns;
The road winds around the lake
Wind
Wrap or coil around;
Roll your hair around your finger
Twine the thread around the spool
Wind
Catch the scent of; get wind of;
The dog nosed out the drugs
Wind
Coil the spring of (some mechanical device) by turning a stem;
Wind your watch
Wind
Form into a wreath
Wind
Raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help;
Hoist the bicycle onto the roof of the car
Wind
"Wind represents a significant force in weather patterns."
The forecast warns of high winds tomorrow.
Wind
"Wind can refer to breath as a vital force."
He was out of wind after the long race.
FAQs
What do "Draft" and "Wind" mean?
"Draft" is a current of air in a closed space; "Wind" is the natural movement of air outdoors.
Can "Draft" have meanings other than air movement?
Yes, it can also refer to a preliminary version of a document, conscription, or a ship's required water depth.
Is "Draft" only used for indoor air currents?
Primarily, but it can also refer to slight gusts in enclosed outdoor spaces like stadiums.
Does "Wind" only refer to natural phenomena?
In the context of air movement, yes. However, it has other metaphorical or literal meanings.
Does "Wind" have different meanings?
Yes, besides air movement, it can mean to turn or twist, represent breath, or denote unpredictability.
Is a "Draft" always cold?
Often it's perceived as cooler than the surrounding air, but not necessarily cold.
What causes "Wind"?
Differences in atmospheric pressure, temperature, and the Earth's rotation.
Can "Wind" be predicted?
To some extent with meteorology, but it can be unpredictable.
How does "Wind" affect the environment?
It influences weather, spreads seeds, creates waves, and more.
Can you feel a "Draft" outside?
Generally, it's felt in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces.
Is "Wind" always felt outside?
Mostly, though strong winds can be perceptible indoors via their effects.
Can "Draft" be beneficial?
Yes, for ventilation and cooling, though unwanted drafts may be uncomfortable.
What causes a "Draft"?
Differences in air pressure, temperature, or structural openings (like doors).
Are "Draft" and "Wind" interchangeable?
No, they refer to different contexts of air movement.
How is "Wind" measured?
Using anemometers, which measure speed, and by observing its effects.
Is "Draft" a modern concept?
No, awareness of drafts dates back to when humans first sought shelter.
Has our understanding of "Wind" changed?
Yes, with advances in science, especially meteorology.
Are there cultural perspectives on "Draft" and "Wind"?
Yes, various cultures interpret and respond to them differently, from mythology to practical living considerations.
How do buildings affect "Draft"?
Architecture, ventilation systems, and openings influence draft presence and intensity.
Are there measures to prevent "Draft"?
Weatherstripping, insulation, and proper construction can help.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
