downdraft

noun

down·​draft ˈdau̇n-ˌdraft How to pronounce downdraft (audio)
1
: a downward current of gas (such as air during a thunderstorm)
2
: decline sense 1
an economic downdraft

Examples of downdraft in a Sentence

a strong downdraft from the thunderstorm
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Internet stocks rebounded after yesterday’s downdraft. Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 Preceding the upturn, the ratio saw a significant downdraft in Q1 that resulted in a breakdown, indicating a bearish shift in XLK’s relative strength trend. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 12 May 2025 Eventually, some of that air cools, forms precipitation and then a combination of wind and precipitation rushes to the ground in a downdraft. Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025 When thunderstorms form, hail and precipitation in them can cause the air to rapidly fall in a downdraft, causing very high pressure under these storms. Chris Nowotarski, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for downdraft

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downdraft was in 1817

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Cite this Entry

“Downdraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downdraft. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

downdraft

noun
down·​draft -ˌdraft How to pronounce downdraft (audio)
-ˌdrȧft
: a downward current of gas (as air in a chimney or during a thunderstorm)

More from Merriam-Webster on downdraft

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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