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
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
Specifically, it's formed a ridge of high pressure over the western United States and a trough of low pressure over the eastern United States, large-scale systems that affect our weather down here at the surface.
—
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
The sandwich chain is now offering a footlong trough of $5 Doritos nachos.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 4 Apr. 2025
Research from Springer Nature indicates that overall well-being hits a low trough in middle age.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
An economic ‘wipeout’ A Moody’s simulation found that such an escalation in the trade war would wipe out 5.5 million jobs, lift the unemployment rate to 7% and cause US GDP to drop by 1.7% from peak to trough.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trough
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Doyle Rice, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
The sandwich chain is now offering a footlong trough of $5 Doritos nachos.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 4 Apr. 2025
Research from Springer Nature indicates that overall well-being hits a low trough in middle age.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
An economic ‘wipeout’ A Moody’s simulation found that such an escalation in the trade war would wipe out 5.5 million jobs, lift the unemployment rate to 7% and cause US GDP to drop by 1.7% from peak to trough.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trough
Cite this Entry
“Trough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trough. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trough
noun1
: 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)
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