updraft

noun

up·​draft ˈəp-ˌdraft 

-ˌdräft

: an upward movement of gas (such as air)

Examples of updraft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This upward motion creates a powerful current of air known as an updraft. — Yunyao Li, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

NBCUniversal is hoping Peacock will catch a huge updraft from a new bundling pact with Google’s YouTube. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 July 2026

This shear can cause the storm’s updraft to begin rotating, creating a spinning column of air inside the storm; under the right conditions, that rotation can tighten and extend toward the ground, producing a tornado. — Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026

The updraft knifed through the building, whose inhabitants were already suffering without heat or power for much of the winter as Russia pounded Ukraine’s energy system. — Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for updraft

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

Kids Definition

updraft

noun

up·​draft ˈəp-ˌdraft 

-ˌdrȧft

: an upward movement of gas (as air)