trough

1
as in pipe
a long hollow cylinder for carrying a substance (as a liquid or gas) all of the wiring for the converted residential loft is concealed in a vertical trough

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2
as in ditch
a long narrow channel dug in the earth I slid and fell into the trough by the side of the road, scraping my leg

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3
as in gutter
a pipe or channel for carrying off water from a roof the troughs on the eaves of the house were clogged with leaves

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trough There are several weather systems (troughs and areas of high pressure) that will be tying to steer the system late this week and over the weekend. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 How about Scott Bosworth, who in the wake of the Plaza Gate catastrophe continues to lap up $242,050 a year at the public trough. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025 The machine would use a pen to physically scribble waves with peaks and troughs onto paper scrolling at a rate of 1 centimeter per second to create an electroencephalogram (EEG). Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025 Bond reveals that Moo — who was living on her balcony for a bit — requires a trough, just like the pigs on a farm. Anna Chan, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trough
Noun
  • For now, imagine a skater launching off a quarter pipe two thousand feet high, then somersaulting.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • That fingerprint was sufficient enough to qualify for a warrant to search the rest of the Norman home, where tests of the pipes leading out of the washing machine revealed some matter containing Beryl’s DNA.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That’s why the album has gone down in history, the ultimate case of a superstar ripping it up to start again, in the mode of Kid A or Achtung Baby, Bowie in Berlin or Neil Young heading for the ditch.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
  • However, his actual goal share five-on-five is in the ditch after October.
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Beyond pipe replacements, some residents on the east side have been waiting for the city to add sidewalks and underground gutters as many communities still have a ditch gutter system to manage the water, which can be problematic for nearby homes due to flooding risk.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
  • While some paid to have headstones moved, many stayed in San Francisco and were later used in building projects including gutters and a breakwater.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But the nonprofit did so discreetly, using the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian organization, as a conduit for the funds.
    Tetiana Kotelnykova, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Middle managers—those crucial conduits between strategy and execution—feel less psychologically safe than both their bosses and their teams.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Below are the three most salient lessons from the depths of the speculative fiction trenches.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • From flattering faux leather pants and wide-leg jeans to a chic trench and the ultimate fall overcoat, here are the European styles to shop this season—starting at $15 at Amazon.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But just six weeks after giving birth, Moreno decided to have her tubes tied.
    NPR, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Most of the production line is automated to limit human contact, with the vials being washed and sterilized and then filled with fentanyl using long rubber tubes.
    Janis Mackey Frayer, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And at Wallow Hallow Woods, tucked across the ravines and slopes unscathed by fire, beech and maple trees still grow.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Gullies and ravines meant to bring water back into the system have been cleared before the storm to help prevent excess flooding, but rain continues to pour over the island.
    Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Becker called out funnel-neck jackets, bra tops and balloon pants as important items.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The Thai restaurant received a yellow placard after inspectors discovered the handwashing sink was blocked with a funnel and dish soap.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trough. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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