a type of localized downdraft, often associated with thunderstorms, producing very strong, short-lived wind shears
microburst in American English
(ˈmaikrəˌbɜːrst)
noun
Meteorology
an intense, localized downdraft of air that spreads on the ground, causing rapid changes in wind direction and speed; a localized downburst
Word origin
[1980–85; micro- + burst]This word is first recorded in the period 1980–85. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Santería, designer drug, nuclear winter, scientific creationism, starch blockermicro- is a combining form with the meanings “small” (microcosm; microgamete), “very small in comparison with others of its kind” (microcomputer; microlith), “too small to be seen by the unaided eye” (microfossil; microorganism), “dealing with extremely minute organisms, organic structures, or quantities ofa substance” (microdissection; microscope), “localized, restricted in scope or area” (microburst; microhabitat), “(of a discipline) focusing on a restricted area” (microeconomics), “containing or dealing with texts that require enlargement to be read” (microfilm; microreader), “one millionth” (microgram)