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

An upper-level trough, the weather phenomenon that has dominated the Bay Area’s and Northern California’s weather pattern since April. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 27 May 2026

Conversely, major troughs in the jetstream will form on either side of that giant ridge, one in the Pacific Northwest and another right over New England. —Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 27 May 2026

Forecasters say the trough will make daytime high temperatures across the inland valleys, foothills and deserts 10 to 15 degrees below average and the mountains as much as 20 degrees below normal. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026

Peaks, troughs, breaks, beginnings, and endings shape the quality of decisions. —Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 15 May 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