Plain English Meaning
The last phase of a thunderstorm, when it is running out of the rising warm air that fed it. The storm weakens, rain tapers off, and the cloud falls apart.
Full Definition
The final stage in the life cycle of a thunderstorm, characterized by predominantly downdrafts throughout the cell as the supply of warm, moist updraft air is cut off. Precipitation weakens, the cloud begins to lose its vertical structure, and the storm collapses as it can no longer sustain itself.
Context Anchor
Seen in weather training, thunderstorm discussions, and preflight weather decision-making.