blowdown: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Technical / Formal
Quick answer
What does “blowdown” mean?
The action of being blown down, especially of trees by strong wind.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action of being blown down, especially of trees by strong wind.
A process or event involving forced removal, destruction, or expulsion, especially in industrial or technical contexts (e.g., releasing pressure from a system, clearing debris).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Meaning is consistent. More frequent in US English in forestry/utility contexts. The hyphenated form 'blow-down' is sometimes seen in British technical writing.
Connotations
Neutral/technical in both. Implies sudden, forceful action.
Frequency
Low in general discourse; higher in engineering, forestry, and industrial safety contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “blowdown” in a Sentence
N of N (blowdown of trees)N caused by N (blowdown caused by the hurricane)ADJ + N (catastrophic blowdown)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blowdown” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gale could blow down the temporary fencing.
- They need to blow down the boiler system for maintenance.
American English
- The tornado might blow down those power lines.
- The crew will blow down the steam lines before inspection.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; the phrasal verb 'blow down' is used.)
American English
- (Not standard; the phrasal verb 'blow down' is used.)
adjective
British English
- The blowdown timber was collected for biomass.
- A blowdown valve is a critical safety component.
American English
- The blowdown area was mapped by foresters.
- Check the blowdown procedure in the manual.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in insurance (assessing storm damage) or utilities (power line disruption).
Academic
Used in forestry, ecology, and engineering papers.
Everyday
Very rare; would use 'trees blown down' or 'knocked over by the wind'.
Technical
Common in chemical/process engineering (boiler blowdown), forestry, and meteorology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blowdown”
- Using it as a common verb (incorrect: 'I will blowdown the house'; correct: 'blow down').
- Confusing with 'blowout' (tyre/electrical fault vs. trees/pressure release).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun (the event or result), it is one word (blowdown) or hyphenated (blow-down). As a verb, it is two words (blow down).
They are largely synonymous for trees. 'Windthrow' includes uprooting, while 'blowdown' can include stems snapped off. 'Blowdown' has wider technical uses (engineering).
It would sound very technical. It's better to say 'trees blown down' or 'knocked over by the wind' in casual speech.
Conceptually, yes. Both involve a forceful removal: wind removes trees, and a valve removes (blows down) pressure/fluid from a system.
The action of being blown down, especially of trees by strong wind.
Blowdown is usually technical / formal in register.
Blowdown: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbləʊ.daʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbloʊ.daʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none directly; related to 'blow down' as in 'The wind will blow down that old shed.')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a strong wind BLOWing DOWN a line of trees—a BLOWDOWN.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE'S VIOLENCE IS A TECHNICAL PROCESS (storm damage described with an industrial term).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'blowdown' LEAST likely to be used?