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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:

After a long, painful downdraft that erased more some $2.2 trillion in value, cryptocurrencies — and, notably, bitcoin — have come roaring back this week.

From MarketWatch Aug. 21, 2026

“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

Microsoft is oversold in absolute and relative terms following a steep downdraft, so it may have less downside than the rest of the Magnificent Seven.

From Barron's Apr. 10, 2026

The loss triggered cascade of losses for other tech companies and consequently a major 3% downdraft in the Nasdaq index.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 30, 2025

The frantic hawk speeds upward and, catching a downdraft, hurtles herself at Alice again.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

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