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

Because of the drought, woodland deer food is not abundant in most of the state this year, and what exists is in poor condition with low nutritional value. — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026

This year’s drought across western Japan, with some meteorologists comparing it to the country’s worst drought in more than 30 years, is already being tied to yield declines in official data. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

At the same time, droughts are getting longer and more severe. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

As the cameras zoom in on a fuming Jerry Jones and the guys in the booth note that the title drought is now in its 30th year, many of us at home will indulge in a little taste of schadenfreude. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026

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