updraft

noun

up·​draft ˈəp-ˌdraft How to pronounce updraft (audio)
-ˌdräft
: an upward movement of gas (such as air)

Examples of updraft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An updraft of air caused by storm activity, clouds and low visibility led the plane’s autopilot mode to disconnect. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 The storms could first develop as supercells, which are powerful thunderstorms with rotating updrafts, before growing into a line. — Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Because the temperature difference between the two air masses fuels the updrafts that cause storms, this mixing tamps down storm activity. — Damien Pine, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026 This upward motion creates a powerful current of air known as an updraft. — Yunyao Li, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for updraft

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of updraft was circa 1887

Rhymes for updraft

See All Rhymes for updraft

Browse Nearby Words

updo
updraft
updraft kiln
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Updraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/updraft. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

updraft

noun
up·​draft ˈəp-ˌdraft How to pronounce updraft (audio)
-ˌdrȧft
: an upward movement of gas (as air)

More from Merriam-Webster on updraft

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about updraft

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All