Main Entry:

trough

Pronunciation:

\ˈtrȯf, ˈtrȯth, by bakers often ˈtrō\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural troughs \ˈtrȯfs, ˈtrȯvz; ˈtrȯths, ˈtrȯ(th)z; ˈtrōz\

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English trog; akin to Old High German trog trough, Old English trēow tree, wood — more at tree

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: a long shallow often V-shaped receptacle for the drinking water or feed of domestic animals b: any of various domestic or industrial containers2 a: a conduit, drain, or channel for water ; especially : a gutter along the eaves of a building b: a long and narrow or shallow channel or depression (as between waves or hills) ; especially : a long but shallow depression in the bed of the sea — compare trench3: the minimum point of a complete cycle of a periodic function: as a: an elongated area of low barometric pressure b: the low point in a business cycle