Standard Lemma guide

downdraft

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: D AW1 N D R AE2 F T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A strong, downward air current; an air pocket or air hole.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US

Topics: climatology, meteorology, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a strong downward air current

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: draft, draught

History

Etymology

From down- + draft.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Irish: caitheamh anuas — a strong, downward air current
  • Norman: rabat — a strong, downward air current