downburst
noun
down·burst
ˈdau̇n-ˌbərst 
: a powerful downdraft usually associated with a thunderstorm that strikes the ground and deflects in all directions
also
: microburst
Examples of downburst in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Powerful storm systems known as derechos are often made up of multiple downburst clusters, each containing many smaller downbursts, sometimes called microbursts.
—
Amal Elawady, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025
The wind speed in a downburst can reach over 150 miles per hour.
—Amal Elawady, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025
Meteorologists call these straight line winds, and the process that forms them is a downburst.
—Chris Nowotarski, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2025
Damage from derechos and downbursts causes more severe, concentrated damage, such as the collapse of a 37-story building in Brazil in 2011.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downburst
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.
Amal Elawady, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025
The wind speed in a downburst can reach over 150 miles per hour.
—Amal Elawady, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025
Meteorologists call these straight line winds, and the process that forms them is a downburst.
—Chris Nowotarski, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2025
Damage from derechos and downbursts causes more severe, concentrated damage, such as the collapse of a 37-story building in Brazil in 2011.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downburst
Cite this Entry
“Downburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downburst. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share