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

Finally, in the bottom of the ninth, Betts ended the Dodgers’ scoring drought. —Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026

As Colorado continues to deal with ongoing drought conditions, water conservation is more important than ever. —Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Climate change and associated recent heat waves and droughts compounded the challenges faced by the tree, wrote the society. —Karina Zaiets, USA Today, 19 June 2026

Glistening in the sun from about 1,000 feet away, the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy dazzled attendees, arriving in New York after a 53-year title drought. —Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 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