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

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

Asian equities were mixed despite a stronger U.S. dollar overnight, gold surging, and yesterday’s U.S. equity downdraft, as Taiwan underperformed. —Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

None of the major media giants were immune to the downdraft, led by Warner Bros. Discovery with a 4% slide for the day to close at $10.59. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Mar. 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)