trough

noun

ˈtrȯf  ˈtrȯth 

by bakers often

ˈtrō 

plural troughs ˈtrȯfs  ˈtrȯvz 

ˈtrȯths,

ˈtrȯ(t͟h)z;

ˈtrōz

1

a

: a long shallow often V-shaped receptacle for the drinking water or feed of domestic animals

b

: any of various domestic or industrial containers

2

a

: a conduit, drain, or channel for water

especially : a gutter along the eaves of a building

b

: a long and narrow or shallow channel or depression (as between waves or hills)

especially : a long but shallow depression in the bed of the sea compare trench

3

: the minimum point of a complete cycle of a periodic function: such as

a

: an elongated area of low barometric pressure

b

: the low point in a business cycle

Synonyms

• pipe
• conduit
• tube
• funnel
• channel
• drain

Examples of trough in a Sentence

The economy is in a trough right now.

all of the wiring for the converted residential loft is concealed in a vertical trough

Recent Examples on the Web

The cold front is being driven by a trough — an area of lower pressure that helps steer weather systems — while winds will be on the breezier side due to Hurricane Melissa’s influence in the western Atlantic, the National Weather Service in Miami said. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025

An eastern trough has been persistent since August, Roth said. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

By that definition, the Dodgers’ only competition for a 21st-century dynasty are the San Francisco Giants (winners in 2010, 2012 and 2014 with deep troughs in between) and the Boston Red Sox (winners in 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018 – after an 86-year trough). —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025

Qing Yuan opened the tap, gripped the edge of the trough, and ducked his head under the water. —Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English trog; akin to Old High German trog trough, Old English trēow tree, wood — more at tree entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing trough

• eaves trough
• have/get one's nose/snout in the trough

Rhymes for trough

• coif
• cough
• doff
• goff
• groff
• off
• quaff
• raphe
• scoff
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff

Kids Definition

trough

noun

ˈtrȯf 

plural troughs ˈtrȯfs  ˈtrȯvz 

1

: a long shallow container for the drinking water or feed of domestic animals

2

: a pipe, drain, or channel for water

especially : gutter entry 1 sense 1a

3

: a long and narrow or shallow hollow (as between waves or hills)

Medical Definition

trough

see gingival trough