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

• 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

This drought tolerant vine grows naturally on dry, sandy soils in pine forest openings and coastal uplands. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025

Extreme drought, excessive rainfall and warm periods, however, can mute the range of fall colors. —Elissa Robinson, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025

Our meteorological services now use advanced forecasting to give communities precious time to prepare for extreme weather events such as storms and droughts. —Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 2025

But in other cases, Kosiba says, minor drought can actually make some leaves turn an even deeper red. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 22 Sep. 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