drought

noun

ˈdrau̇t 

variants or less commonly drouth

ˈdrau̇th 

1

: a period of dryness especially when prolonged

specifically : one that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth

resistant to drought

2

: a prolonged or chronic shortage or lack of something expected or desired

a drought of creativity

droughtiness

ˈdrau̇-tē-nəs 

noun

droughty

ˈdrau̇-tē

adjective

Synonyms of drought

• shortage
• lack

Examples of drought in a Sentence

The drought caused serious damage to crops.

a period of drought that lasted several years

Recent Examples on the Web

Tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths can become victims of drought during a dry fall season when they are supposed to be establishing a root system. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 23 Nov. 2025

Other Fed officials, such as Governor Christopher Waller, have said policymakers still have enough information to make informed decisions, even with the data drought from the shutdown. —Jeff Cox,john Melloy, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025

This suggests a return to a more typical fall wet-weather pattern, said Husted, which is helping to gradually reduce lingering drought conditions across the region. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Nov. 2025

Here, the company has invested in solar power and water recycling, the latter of which is particularly critical due to LA’s tendency toward droughts. —Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English drūgath, from drūgian to dry up; akin to Old English drȳge dry — more at dry

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for drought

• bout
• clout
• doubt
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout
• scout

Kids Definition

drought

noun

variants also drouth

ˈdrau̇t 

ˈdrau̇th

: a long period of dry weather

droughty

-ē

adjective