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

One flight on Monday morning was cut short to inspect the aircraft for possible structural damage after hitting violent updrafts and downdrafts. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Yet despite these downdrafts, the S&P 500 has been positive 79% of the time over one-year periods, and that success rate increases to 100% for those who stayed invested for 11 years or more. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025

Despite the downdraft, gold remains perhaps the best trade of 2025. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025

The sudden downdraft snapped trees, downed power lines and triggered localized flooding. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for downdraft

• abaft
• aircraft
• camshaft
• crankshaft
• engraft
• priestcraft
• redraft
• schoolcraft
• spacecraft
• stagecraft
• statecraft
• updraft

Kids Definition

downdraft

noun

down·​draft -ˌdraft 

-ˌdrȧft

: a downward current of gas (as air in a chimney or during a thunderstorm)