downburst

[ doun-burst ]

noun
  1. a strong downward current of air from a cumulonimbus cloud, often associated with intense thunderstorms.

Origin of downburst

1

Words Nearby downburst

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British Dictionary definitions for downburst

downburst

/ (ˈdaʊnˌbɜːst) /


noun
  1. a very high-speed downward movement of turbulent air in a limited area for a short time. Near the ground it spreads out from its centre with high horizontal velocities: Also called: microburst

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for downburst

downburst

[ dounbûrst′ ]


  1. An extremely powerful downward air current from a cumulonimbus cloud, typically associated with thunderstorm activity. Downbursts can produce effects that resemble those brought about by tornadoes.

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