Definition

A sudden and strong downward movement of air that occurs in a small area, often associated with thunderstorms and can be dangerous for aircraft during takeoff or landing.

Example

The pilot had to be cautious because a microburst was reported near the airport.

Conversation

Did you hear about that storm that caused a microburst last night?

Yeah, I saw it on the news; they said it was really intense.

I can’t believe how dangerous a microburst can be for planes.

Right? It’s scary how something so sudden can create such chaos.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Microburst → It is formed from "micro-" (from Greek "mikros", meaning small) and "burst" (from Old English "berstan", meaning to break or explode). The word describes a small, sudden burst of wind or energy, typically associated with severe weather phenomena.

Memory Tip

Think of 'small' ('micro-') and 'breaking' ('burst') to remember that a microburst is a small, sudden burst of wind.

Visually Confused Words