Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for downdraft. Search instead for down-drag.

downdraft

American  
[doun-draft, -drahft] / ˈdaʊnˌdræft, -ˌdrɑft /

noun

  1. a downward current, as of air.

    a downdraft in a mine shaft.

  2. a downward movement, as of the stock market.


downdraft Scientific  
/ doundrăft′ /
  1. A downward moving current of air in a cumulonimbus cloud.

  2. Compare updraft


Etymology

Origin of downdraft

First recorded in 1780–90; down 1 + draft

Vocabulary lists containing downdraft

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“We along with many others had this downdraft in commercial real-estate loans, and now it’s just starting to pick up. It’s good to see,” said John Stern, chief financial officer of U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 24, 2026

CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks were caught in the downdraft, despite topping Street earnings estimates last night and boosting near-term revenue forecasts.

From Barron's Jun. 4, 2026

Several other tech stocks with exposure to AI were caught in the downdraft, too.

From BBC Aug. 9, 2025

PyroCb possible later this PM, with lightning/outflow & downdraft winds as hazards.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 11, 2024

The downdraft arrived, that eerie second before a big storm hits, just before the wind swoops through and brings in the hard rain.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training