1. A sudden rush of air or gases backward through an opening, typically occurring in fires when fresh air is drawn in to replace hot gases escaping through a chimney or vent.
Usage: plural form; commonly used in firefighting and building safety contexts

Examples

• Firefighters must be aware of potential backdrafts when entering a burning building.
• The chimney's design helped prevent dangerous backdrafts in the old house.
• Backdrafts can occur when a fire suddenly finds a new source of oxygen.
• Proper ventilation reduces the risk of backdrafts in industrial settings.
• The explosion was caused by a sudden backdraft that ignited accumulated gases.