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

The Breakers play in the competitive Pacific Coast League, but the Centurions will also enter battle-tested after a long 20-match season, which ended a 14-year title drought. —Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026

The lack of rain on top of existing drought conditions, though, could continue to be a fire threat. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026

Edwin Lusichi, the trust’s head keeper, introduced the animals by name and explained how each one had come to be orphaned—drought, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict being the most common causes. —Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026

In the Everglades, drought levels on Thursday neared the top of the index. —Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 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