DictionarydraftMilitary conscription
noun / verb

draft

Organized selection of people for assigned service.

The draft requires eligible citizens to serve in the military.

Etymology

Draft is a form of draught, an act of drawing. Recruiting people draws selected individuals out of the larger population for a required service.

More examples

  • The army drafted him when he turned twenty.
  • Our team drafts a promising young pitcher.
  • She is the first player chosen in this year's draft.

Forms

draft · drafts · drafted · drafting

draftee noun — A person selected for military service.

Similar words

conscription
Specifically compulsory military service, not selection for sports teams.
recruitment
Finding people to join, usually voluntarily rather than compulsorily.