downdraft
noun
down·draft
ˈdau̇n-ˌdraft 
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
Such clouds are also associated with storms and potentially dangerous updrafts and downdrafts of wind.
—
Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Consequently, strong vertical currents create updrafts and downdrafts during flight.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
While shares of Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo have been caught up in the downdraft, their businesses should be largely insulated from these headwinds.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026
As the thunderstorm nears its end, the downdraft is stronger than the updraft, which had been the storm’s source of warm, moist air.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downdraft
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Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Consequently, strong vertical currents create updrafts and downdrafts during flight.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
While shares of Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo have been caught up in the downdraft, their businesses should be largely insulated from these headwinds.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026
As the thunderstorm nears its end, the downdraft is stronger than the updraft, which had been the storm’s source of warm, moist air.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downdraft
Cite this Entry
“Downdraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downdraft. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downdraft
noun
down·draft
-ˌdraft
-ˌdrȧft
: a downward current of gas (as air in a chimney or during a thunderstorm)
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