updraft

noun

up·​draft ˈəp-ˌdraft 

-ˌdräft

: an upward movement of gas (such as air)

Examples of updraft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These eagles are skilled soarers, often riding thermal updrafts to reach extreme heights. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

The exact mechanics of tornado formation aren’t yet fully understood, but essentially, air rotation at the ground needs to meet a strong updraft aloft; this pulls the rotation in like a figure skater pulling in their arms, as Houser puts it. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 20 May 2025

Large hail forms when strong updrafts in thunderstorms lift water droplets high into freezing layers of the atmosphere, allowing ice to accumulate in concentric layers before falling to the ground, according to AccuWeather. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025

Wrapped around the bright spot of the updraft, darker patches shown in Juno's data mark where downdrafts carried a slushy mix of ammonia and water back down to the Jovian depths. —Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for updraft

• abaft
• aircraft
• camshaft
• crankshaft
• downdraft
• engraft
• priestcraft
• redraft
• schoolcraft
• spacecraft
• stagecraft
• statecraft

Kids Definition

updraft

noun

up·​draft ˈəp-ˌdraft 

-ˌdrȧft

: an upward movement of gas (as air)