Ask Difference

Draft vs. Wind — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
A draft is a current of cool air in a room or other confined space, or a preliminary version of a document. Wind is the natural movement of air in the atmosphere.
Draft vs. Wind — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Draft and Wind

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Key Differences

In our daily lives, both "Draft" and "Wind" impact us, yet they signify different phenomena. A draft, often felt in enclosed spaces, refers to a current of cool air that typically results from temperature differences, often between indoors and outdoors. It's common to feel a draft when a door or window is left open, allowing cooler outside air to enter a warmer space. In contrast, wind is experienced in vast open spaces and is the natural movement of air on a larger scale, governed by atmospheric conditions and the Earth's rotation.
The term "Draft" is also used in contexts other than airflow. For instance, one might draft a letter or a document, signifying a preliminary version that is subject to revision. Wind, however, is primarily associated with atmospheric phenomena and does not share this lexical versatility. Its implications mostly revolve around meteorology.
Additionally, when we think of drafts in terms of buildings and structures, we often associate it with a lack of insulation or gaps in windows and doors that allow air to flow in or out. This can be a concern in terms of energy efficiency. Wind, conversely, can be harnessed for energy using wind turbines, showing the potential of nature in sustainable power generation.
In summary, while both draft and wind deal with the movement of air, their scale, context, and implications can differ widely. Draft is often localized and can be an unintended consequence of building design, whereas wind is a broader atmospheric movement with natural causes and effects.

Comparison Chart

Definition

A current of cool air in confined spaces or a preliminary document.
Natural movement of air in the atmosphere.
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Context of Use

Often associated with rooms or buildings.
Typically associated with open spaces and meteorological contexts.

Scale

Localized to specific areas or spaces.
Broad, can cover large geographical areas.

Implications

Can indicate poor insulation or gaps in buildings.
Can be harnessed for energy or can indicate weather patterns.

Associated Phenomenon

Results from temperature differences, often between indoors and outdoors.
Governed by atmospheric conditions and Earth's rotation.

Compare with Definitions

Draft

A single act of drinking or inhaling.
He took a long draft from the bottle.

Wind

The natural movement of air of any velocity.
The wind rustled the leaves.

Draft

The depth of water a ship needs to float.
The ship has a draft of fifteen feet.

Wind

Breath or the power of breathing.
He was out of wind after the long run.

Draft

A current of air in an enclosed area.

Wind

A direction from which the wind may blow; a point of the compass.
The wind is coming from the north.

Draft

A device that regulates the flow or circulation of air.

Wind

Empty, meaningless talk.
His promises were just wind.

Draft

The act of pulling loads; traction.

Wind

A twist or turn in a course.
The road winds through the mountains.

Draft

Something that is pulled or drawn; a load.

Wind

Wind is the natural movement of air or other gases relative to a planet's surface. Wind occurs on a range of scales, from thunderstorm flows lasting tens of minutes, to local breezes generated by heating of land surfaces and lasting a few hours, to global winds resulting from the difference in absorption of solar energy between the climate zones on Earth.

Draft

A team of animals used to pull loads.

Wind

Moving air, especially a natural and perceptible movement of air parallel to or along the ground.

Draft

(Nautical)The depth of a vessel's keel below the water line, especially when loaded
A river vessel of shallow draft.

Wind

A movement of air generated artificially, as by bellows or a fan.

Draft

A heavy demand on resources.

Wind

The direction from which a movement of air comes
The wind is north-northwest.

Draft

A written order directing the payment of money from an account or fund.

Wind

A movement of air coming from one of the four cardinal points of the compass
The four winds.

Draft

A gulp, swallow, or inhalation.

Wind

Moving air carrying sound, an odor, or a scent.

Draft

The amount taken in by a single act of drinking or inhaling.

Wind

Breath, especially normal or adequate breathing; respiration
Had the wind knocked out of them.

Draft

A measured portion; a dose.

Wind

Gas produced in the stomach or intestines during digestion; flatulence.

Draft

The drawing of a liquid, as from a cask or keg.

Wind

The brass and woodwinds sections of a band or orchestra.

Draft

An amount drawn
Ordered two drafts of ale.

Wind

Wind instruments or their players considered as a group.

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

Woodwinds.

Draft

Compulsory enrollment in the armed forces; conscription.

Wind

Something that disrupts or destroys
The winds of war.

Draft

A body of people selected or conscripted.

Wind

A tendency; a trend
The winds of change.

Draft

(Sports)A system in which the exclusive rights to new players are distributed among professional teams.

Wind

Information, especially of something concealed; intimation
Trouble will ensue if wind of this scandal gets out.

Draft

The act of drawing in a fishing net.

Wind

Speech or writing empty of meaning; verbiage
His remarks on the subject are nothing but wind.

Draft

The quantity of fish caught.

Wind

Vain self-importance; pomposity
An expert who was full of wind even before becoming famous.

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

The act of winding.

Draft

A representation of something to be constructed.

Wind

A single turn, twist, or curve.

Draft

A narrow line chiseled on a stone to guide a stonecutter in leveling its surface.

Wind

To expose to free movement of air; ventilate or dry.

Draft

A slight taper given a die to facilitate the removal of a casting.

Wind

To detect the smell of; catch a scent of.

Draft

An allowance made for loss in weight of merchandise.

Wind

To pursue by following a scent.

Draft

To select from a group for some usually compulsory service
Drafted into the army.

Wind

To cause to be out of or short of breath.

Draft

To select from a group for placement on a sports team.

Wind

To afford a recovery of breath
Stopped to wind and water the horses.

Draft

To draw up a preliminary version of or plan for.

Wind

To wrap (something) around a center or another object once or repeatedly
Wind string around a spool.

Draft

To create by thinking and writing; compose
Draft a speech.

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

To work as a drafter.

Wind

To go along (a curving or twisting course)
Wind a path through the mountains.

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 proceed on (one's way) with a curving or twisting course.

Draft

Suited for or used for drawing heavy loads
Oxen and other draft animals.

Wind

To introduce in a disguised or devious manner; insinuate
He wound a plea for money into his letter.

Draft

Drawn from a cask or tap
Draft beer.

Wind

To turn (a crank, for example) in a series of circular motions.

Draft

(US spelling) A current of air, usually coming into a room or vehicle.

Wind

To coil the spring of (a mechanism) by turning a stem or cord, for example
Wind a watch.

Draft

(US spelling) The draw through a flue of gasses (smoke) resulting from a combustion process.

Wind

To coil (thread, for example), as onto a spool or into a ball.

Draft

(US spelling) An act of drinking.

Wind

To remove or unwind (thread, for example), as from a spool
Wound the line off the reel.

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 lift or haul by means of a windlass or winch
Wind the pail to the top of the well.

Draft

(US spelling) A dose (of medicine, alcohol, etc.).

Wind

To move in or have a curving or twisting course
A river winding through a valley.

Draft

(US spelling) Liquid, especially beer or other alcohol, drawn from a cask or keg rather than a bottle or can.

Wind

To move in or have a spiral or circular course
A column of smoke winding into the sky.

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 be coiled or spiraled
The vine wound about the trellis.

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

To be twisted or whorled into curved forms.

Draft

A preliminary sketch or outline for a plan.

Wind

To proceed misleadingly or insidiously in discourse or conduct.

Draft

A cheque, an order for money to be paid.

Wind

To become wound
A clock that winds with difficulty.

Draft

Conscription, the system of forcing people to serve in the military.
He left the country to avoid the draft.

Wind

To blow (a wind instrument).

Draft

A system of forcing or convincing people to take an elected position.

Wind

To sound by blowing.

Draft

A system of assigning rookie players to professional sports teams.

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

The pulling force (tension) on couplers and draft gear during a slack stretched condition.

Wind

Air artificially put in motion by any force or action.
The wind of a cannon ball;
The wind of a bellows

Draft

The bevel given to the pattern for a casting, so that it can be drawn from the sand without damaging the mould.

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

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

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

The act of drawing in a net for fish.

Wind

One of the five basic elements in Indian and Japanese models of the Classical elements.

Draft

That which is drawn in; a catch, a haul.
He cast his net, which brought him a very great draft.

Wind

Flatus.
Eww. Someone just passed wind.

Draft

A quantity that is requisitioned or drawn out from a larger population.

Wind

Breath modulated by the respiratory and vocal organs, or by an instrument.

Draft

(transitive) To write a first version, make a preliminary sketch.

Wind

(music) The woodwind section of an orchestra. Occasionally also used to include the brass section.

Draft

To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of, as in architectural and mechanical drawing.

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

To write a law.

Wind

Types of playing-tile in the game of mah-jongg, named after the four winds.

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

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

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

Mere breath or talk; empty effort; idle words.

Draft

To select and separate an animal or animals from a group.
The calves were drafted from the cows.

Wind

A bird, the dotterel.

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

The region of the solar plexus, where a blow may paralyze the diaphragm and cause temporary loss of breath or other injury.

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

The act of winding or turning; a turn; a bend; a twist.

Draft

To draw out; to call forth.

Wind

(transitive) To blow air through a wind instrument or horn to make a sound.

Draft

To draw fibers out of a clump, for spinning in the production of yarn.

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

(not comparable) Referring to drinks on tap, in contrast to bottled.
I'd rather have a fresh, cheap draft beer.

Wind

To cause a baby to bring up wind by patting its back after being fed.

Draft

Referring to animals used for pulling heavy loads.
A Clydesdale is a draft horse.

Wind

To turn a boat or ship around, so that the wind strikes it on the opposite side.

Draft

The act of drawing; also, the thing drawn. Same as Draught.
Everything available for draft burden.

Wind

(transitive) To expose to the wind; to winnow; to ventilate.

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 perceive or follow by scent.
The hounds winded the game.

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

(transitive) To rest (a horse, etc.) in order to allow the breath to be recovered; to breathe.

Draft

An allowance or deduction made from the gross weight of goods.

Wind

(transitive) To turn a windmill so that its sails face into the wind.

Draft

A drawing of lines for a plan; a plan delineated, or drawn in outline; a delineation. See Draught.

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 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 tighten the spring of a clockwork mechanism such as that of a clock.
Please wind that old-fashioned alarm clock.

Draft

A narrow border left on a finished stone, worked differently from the rest of its face.

Wind

(transitive) To entwist; to enfold; to encircle.

Draft

The slant given to the furrows in the dress of a millstone.

Wind

(intransitive) To travel in a way that is not straight.
Vines wind round a pole.
The river winds through the plain.

Draft

Depth of water necessary to float a ship. See Draught.

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 current of air. Same as Draught.

Wind

(transitive) To introduce by insinuation; to insinuate.

Draft

A quantity of liquid poured out for drinking; a dose.

Wind

(transitive) To cover or surround with something coiled about.
To wind a rope with twine

Draft

The act of drawing a quantity of liquid from a large container; also, the quantity of liquid so drawn.

Wind

(transitive) To cause to move by exerting a winding force; to haul or hoist, as by a winch.

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 turn (a ship) around, end for end.

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 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

Relating to, or characterized by, a draft, or current of air. Same as Draught.

Wind

To entwist; to infold; to encircle.
Sleep, and I will wind thee in arms.

Draft

To draw the outline of; to delineate.

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

To compose and write; as, to draft a memorial.

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

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 cover or surround with something coiled about; as, to wind a rope with twine.

Draft

To transfer by draft.
All her rents been drafted to London.

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

A document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another

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

A current of air (usually coming into a room or vehicle)

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

A preliminary sketch of a design or picture

Wind

To expose to the wind; to winnow; to ventilate.

Draft

A serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg;
They served beer on draft

Wind

To perceive or follow by the scent; to scent; to nose; as, the hounds winded the game.

Draft

Preliminary version of a written work

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

The depth of a vessel's keel below the surface (especially when loaded)

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 regulator for controlling the flow of air in a fireplace

Wind

The act of winding or turning; a turn; a bend; a twist; a winding.

Draft

A dose of liquid medicine;
He took a sleeping draft

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

Compulsory military service

Wind

Air artificially put in motion by any force or action; as, the wind of a cannon ball; the wind of a bellows.

Draft

A large and hurried swallow;
He finished it at a single gulp

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 act of moving a load by drawing or pulling

Wind

Power of respiration; breath.
If my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I would repent.

Draft

Draw up an outline or sketch for something;
Draft a speech

Wind

Air or gas generated in the stomach or bowels; flatulence; as, to be troubled with wind.

Draft

Engage somebody to enter the army

Wind

Air impregnated with an odor or scent.
A pack of dogfish had him in the wind.

Draft

Make a blueprint of

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 current of cool air in a room or other confined space.
I felt a cold draft coming from the window.

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 preliminary version of a document or plan.
She wrote the first draft of her novel.

Wind

Mere breath or talk; empty effort; idle words.
Nor think thou with windOf airy threats to awe.

Draft

A demand for payment.
He received a draft notice for the bills.

Wind

The dotterel.

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.

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

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

Common Curiosities

Can a draft be beneficial?

Yes, a draft can provide ventilation and reduce indoor air pollution.

What's the purpose of a draft in writing?

A draft in writing serves as a preliminary version, allowing for revisions and improvements.

Is wind a renewable energy source?

Yes, wind is a renewable energy source and is harnessed using wind turbines.

What causes a draft in a room?

A draft in a room is often caused by temperature differences, usually from gaps in doors or windows.

How can you prevent drafts in a house?

Drafts can be minimized by sealing gaps, using draft stoppers, and insulating properly.

Why is the first draft in writing often revised?

The first draft is usually revised to improve clarity, coherence, and to correct errors.

How does wind play a role in weather?

Wind can transport moisture, heat, and cold, influencing local weather patterns.

How is wind speed measured?

Wind speed is typically measured using an anemometer.

What factors affect wind patterns?

Factors like temperature differences, Earth's rotation, and geographic formations affect wind patterns.

What is a bank draft?

A bank draft is a payment on behalf of a payer, guaranteed by the issuing bank.

How can wind be dangerous?

High-speed winds, like in hurricanes or tornadoes, can cause damage and pose safety risks.

Can you draft in digital formats?

Yes, you can draft documents digitally using various software tools.

Can wind be predicted?

Yes, meteorologists use various tools and models to predict wind patterns and speeds.

Is wind always visible?

Wind itself isn't visible, but its effects, like moving leaves or dust, can be observed.

Can drafts occur in vehicles?

Yes, drafts can occur in vehicles, often due to gaps in windows or doors.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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