variants
or less commonly drouth
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
droughty
adjective
ˈdrau̇-tē
Synonyms
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
Water may be scarce, and climate change may be ushering in more extreme droughts, but this landscape fortifies them.
—
Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024
After years of drought, California’s water supply is the healthiest it’s been in the 21st century.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2024
In Zambia, Malawi and Central Mozambique, extreme drought has damaged more than 2 million hectares of crops, Oxfam said.
—Sarah Dean, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The snowpack across the state was measured at a little above average — a rarity after recent swings between extreme drought and last year’s record snowpack at double the historic average.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
First came drought, then a period of cold, volatile weather known as the Little Ice Age.
—Kathleen Duval, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2024
The beginning of April is a particularly important moment for gauging California’s water status in the increasingly wide swings between deluge and drought.
—Jill Cowan, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Heat, drought and rising seas brought on by climate change are threatening many species' habitats.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
The desert has seen an unusual amount of fire in the last few years, and with climate change bringing drought and erratic precipitation patterns, experts predict flames will become even more prevalent.
—Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024
After years of drought, California’s water supply is the healthiest it’s been in the 21st century.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2024
In Zambia, Malawi and Central Mozambique, extreme drought has damaged more than 2 million hectares of crops, Oxfam said.
—Sarah Dean, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The snowpack across the state was measured at a little above average — a rarity after recent swings between extreme drought and last year’s record snowpack at double the historic average.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
First came drought, then a period of cold, volatile weather known as the Little Ice Age.
—Kathleen Duval, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2024
The beginning of April is a particularly important moment for gauging California’s water status in the increasingly wide swings between deluge and drought.
—Jill Cowan, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Heat, drought and rising seas brought on by climate change are threatening many species' habitats.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
The desert has seen an unusual amount of fire in the last few years, and with climate change bringing drought and erratic precipitation patterns, experts predict flames will become even more prevalent.
—Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drought.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near drought
Cite this Entry
“Drought.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drought. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
drought
noun
variants
also drouth
ˈdrau̇t 
ˈdrau̇th
: a long period of dry weather
droughty
adjective
-ē
More from Merriam-Webster on drought
Nglish: Translation of drought for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of drought for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drought
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