trough

noun

ˈtrȯf  ˈtrȯth 

by bakers often

ˈtrō 

plural troughs ˈtrȯfs  ˈtrȯvz 

ˈtrȯths, 

ˈtrȯ(t͟h)z;

ˈtrōz

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 containers

2

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 trench

3

: the minimum point of a complete cycle of a periodic function: such as

a

: an elongated area of low barometric pressure

b

: the low point in a business cycle

Synonyms of trough

• pipe
• conduit
• tube
• funnel
• channel
• drain

Examples of trough in a Sentence

The economy is in a trough right now.

all of the wiring for the converted residential loft is concealed in a vertical trough

Recent Examples on the Web

The storm is being driven by a deep upper-level trough plunging into the Rockies and Intermountain West, dragging in an unseasonably cold air mass that is dropping temperatures 15 to 20 degrees below normal in some areas, the USA TODAY Network previously reported. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 29 June 2026

By Sunday and the following week, early signs point to a return to normal as our trough erodes along with our cooler temperatures. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026

Right now that low-pressure trough is centered over the Great Basin. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Mention of the farm brought to mind a make-believe oasis of sunshine, warm fields of thick, green grass, fat red apples hanging from a tree, oats mixed with brown sugar in the trough, and a cool, clear stream winding through the center of it all. — Will MacKin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English trog; akin to Old High German trog trough, Old English trēow tree, wood — more at tree entry 1

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing trough

• eaves trough
• have/get one's nose/snout in the trough

Rhymes for trough

• coif
• cough
• doff
• goff
• groff
• off
• quaff
• raphe
• scoff
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff

Kids Definition

trough

noun

ˈtrȯf 

plural troughs ˈtrȯfs  ˈtrȯvz 

1

: a long shallow container for the drinking water or feed of domestic animals

2

: a pipe, drain, or channel for water

especially : gutter entry 1 sense 1a

3

: a long and narrow or shallow hollow (as between waves or hills)

Medical Definition

trough

see gingival trough