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
In the late seventies, researchers at NCAR and the University of Chicago discovered that the crashes were caused by microbursts—sudden, violent downdrafts.
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Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The fan has six speeds and switches from downdraft to updraft with the remote controller.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Figma has been caught in the downdraft.
—Deirdre Bosa, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
His only stipulation — which the producers insist was unnecessary — was that no downdraft blast his direction while climbing.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downdraft
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Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The fan has six speeds and switches from downdraft to updraft with the remote controller.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Figma has been caught in the downdraft.
—Deirdre Bosa, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
His only stipulation — which the producers insist was unnecessary — was that no downdraft blast his direction while climbing.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 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 10 Mar. 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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