拟定 means 'to draft' — specifically, to compose or prepare an initial version of a formal document, plan, proposal, or agreement. The character 拟 (nǐ) conveys the idea of 'intending', 'planning', or 'proposing', while 定 (dìng) means 'to decide', 'to settle', or 'to establish'. Together, they emphasize the process of creating a preliminary, authoritative version that is intended for review and approval. This word is commonly used in administrative, legal, business, and academic contexts — for example, when officials draft regulations, companies draft contracts, or researchers draft project proposals.

拟定 is a formal, written-term verb and rarely appears in casual speech. It implies intentionality, structure, and official purpose — not just writing something down, but preparing it as a basis for formal action. It’s often followed by the object (e.g., 计划, 方案, 合同), and frequently appears in passive constructions (e.g., 该方案已由委员会拟定) or with modal verbs like 将 or 已 to indicate future or completed drafting.