downburst
noun
down·burst
ˈdau̇n-ˌbərst 
: a powerful downdraft usually associated with a thunderstorm that strikes the ground and deflects in all directions
also
: microburst
Examples of downburst in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The storm was moving northeast at 20 mph with multiple downbursts throughout its lifecycle.
—
June 2, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Rather, the damage was more typical of a strong downburst with winds between 75 mph and 82 mph.
—Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
Busalacchi says these efforts have contributed to decades without passenger plane crashes caused by wind shear or downbursts.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 19 Dec. 2025
Frequent lightning strikes, isolated damaging downburst winds and marginally severe hail (up to quarter-sized) will be the main threats, according to the NWS.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
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June 2, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Rather, the damage was more typical of a strong downburst with winds between 75 mph and 82 mph.
—Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
Busalacchi says these efforts have contributed to decades without passenger plane crashes caused by wind shear or downbursts.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 19 Dec. 2025
Frequent lightning strikes, isolated damaging downburst winds and marginally severe hail (up to quarter-sized) will be the main threats, according to the NWS.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downburst
Cite this Entry
“Downburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downburst. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downburst
noun
down·burst
ˈdau̇n-ˌbərst
: a powerful downdraft
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