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 droughts, floods, and crop yield reductions brought on by El Niño represent one of the primary risk factors. — CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

The Angels have not made the postseason since 2014, the longest active postseason drought in the majors, and have not won a playoff game since 2009, two years before Trout reached the majors. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

The Institute of International Finance warned that cocoa is not the only food product at risk from El Niño, which forecasts suggest will affect Africa’s agricultural sector across the board, through either flooding or drought. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Feeding your turf at the right times through the seasons can result in fewer lawn weeds, fewer insect and disease issues, and better tolerance of drought and temperature extremes. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 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