noun
downturn
DOWN-turn
noun
1
A decline in economic activity, business, or some other measurable trend.
"The company laid off staff during the economic downturn."
"Sales showed a sharp downturn after the holidays."
How to Use Downturn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThings getting worse, usually said about the economy, sales, or business.
Easily confused with
upturn
Common pairings
economic downturn
sharp downturn
downturn in sales
Word Forms
downturned past tense, downturns plural, downturns singular
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The company laid off staff during the economic _____.
Etymology
From down + turn — a "turning downward" of a trend.