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

Since then, Pittsburgh has reshaped its front office, mainly bringing in Kyle Dubas, who has retooled the squad and helped end Pittsburgh's three-year postseason drought. —Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026

Pulisic scoring drought a concern Christian Pulisic, the top American player, hasn’t scored an international goal in eight games since November 2024. —Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Wildfires often coincide with drought, especially extreme drought, which means not only drier air, but hotter drier air that sucks up more moisture from the ground and plants, making fuels for fire more flammable, Wang said. —ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

Brown has a 50-40 career playoff record and is the coach responsible for ending the Sacramento Kings’ record 16-year playoff drought. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 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