updraft

American

[uhp-draft, -drahft] / ˈʌpˌdræft, -ˌdrɑft /

noun

the movement upward of air or other gas.

updraft Scientific

/ ŭp′drăft′ /

An upward current of warm, moist air. With enough moisture, the current may visibly condense into a cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud.
Compare downdraft

Etymology

Origin of updraft

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at up-, draft

Vocabulary lists containing updraft

Physical Geography - Middle School

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Physical Geography - High School

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

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:

updraft

Cerebras was launched when semiconductor startups were out of favor, went through a few near-death experiences, and then caught the artificial-intelligence updraft.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026

Lately, the AI updraft is breathing new life into even more of old tech.

From Barron's ● May 1, 2026

Traders will recall that Oracle’s earnings report last September created a massive updraft of more than 100 points in the stock — which it quickly gave back and then some.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 5, 2026

However, strong winds lifted him off the ground and grew even stronger, until he encountered the updraft that shot him up into the clouds.

From BBC ● May 29, 2025

A leaf spiraled toward him on an updraft.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023