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 saltwater flats of Badwater Basin sit well below sea level and face steady drought, while snowcapped Telescope Peak towers at 11,049 feet above sea level. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025

Decades of drought and overuse throughout the Colorado River Basin had drained Lake Powell such that the warm surface water sank ever nearer the dam’s hydropower intakes, flushing it to the river below. —Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025

Water them during times of drought, especially during the heat of summer. —Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2025

The last-minute loss to the Saints served as a massive letdown for a Panthers squad looking to curb a seven-year playoff drought. —Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025

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