trough

noun

ˈtrȯf How to pronounce trough (audio)
Definition of troughnext
1
as in pipe
a long hollow cylinder for carrying a substance (as a liquid or gas) all of the wiring for the converted residential loft is concealed in a vertical trough

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in ditch
a long narrow channel dug in the earth I slid and fell into the trough by the side of the road, scraping my leg

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in gutter
a pipe or channel for carrying off water from a roof the troughs on the eaves of the house were clogged with leaves

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trough By Sunday and the following week, early signs point to a return to normal as our trough erodes along with our cooler temperatures. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 Right now that low-pressure trough is centered over the Great Basin. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 Mention of the farm brought to mind a make-believe oasis of sunshine, warm fields of thick, green grass, fat red apples hanging from a tree, oats mixed with brown sugar in the trough, and a cool, clear stream winding through the center of it all. — Will MacKin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 This Thursday was an extremely choppy session with a roughly 4% peak to trough range on the day. — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for trough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trough
  1. pipe
  2. ditch
  3. gutter
  4. conduit
  5. trench
  6. tube
  7. ravine
  8. funnel
Noun
  • This is 1920s barging when everyone else has pipes that are secure, that are new, that go directly into the ships.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 12 July 2026
  • Seal cracks, gaps around doors and windows, gaps around garden hose pipes, and other entry points where ants may enter buildings.
    — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of pipe
Noun
  • If unable to reach a secure shelter, either crouch down in your car, covering your head, or abandon the vehicle and seek refuge in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026
  • But the gold seekers, the ‘49ers, immediately set to digging ditches and canals to divert water, and so the new state soon allowed that practice, too.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of ditch
Noun
  • How Rain Barrels Work Rain barrels collect water from roofs or catchment surfaces through gutters, directing it into a storage container, says Eric Nieusma, a regenerative and organic farmer.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026
  • Residents, meanwhile, can help the town’s efforts by reducing standing water around their homes, keeping their lawns mowed and trimmed, keeping rain barrels covered or screened, and cleaning their gutters regularly to prevent accumulated water.
    — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Definition of gutter
Noun
  • Federal authorities routinely target South Florida remittance companies that operate as conduits for unlawful money transfers, especially for drug traffickers, because many are suspected of evading bank-reporting requirements.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • Hard-liners want to ensure lasting control over the waterway, which is a globally important conduit for fuel shipments and has become a critical lever in confronting the West.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of conduit
Noun
  • The incident happened after two trenches collapsed in Oakland County in the last 24 hours.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • All night long there was the ringing clatter of picks and shovels; the Germans were digging trenches in the frozen ground.
    — Vasily Grossman, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of trench
Noun
  • These tiny tubes are small enough to slip through airport security in a carry-on.
    — Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • The glove features a network of 13 pneumatic tubes that inflate individual air chambers positioned along the hand.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
Definition of tube
Noun
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 July 2026
  • Reaching the wreckage proved difficult as emergency workers, backed by paramilitary forces, climbed down a steep mountainside to the ravine up to 25 meters (80 feet) deep.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of ravine
Noun
  • Pre-fall calls for lightweight outerwear, and the face-framing funnel neck continues to capture our attention.
    — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 10 July 2026
  • The dessert chain has an expansive menu that includes cakes, crêpes, freshly made Belgium waffles, funnel cakes and hot and iced drinks.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
Definition of funnel

Phrases Containing trough

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troublous
trough
troughs
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Cite this Entry

“Trough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trough. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of trough for Spanish Speakers

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