variants
or less commonly drouth
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
droughty
adjective
ˈdrau̇-tē
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
Even their most diehard fans are far from confident that drought will end against Manchester City on Saturday.
—
Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Several local utilities drawing from the Catawba River basin moved into mandatory restrictions this month under the basin’s Low Inflow Protocol, a regional drought-management system that coordinates conservation efforts.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Another rule of thumb, Elke says, is that the hatch tends to kick off sooner during drought and low-water years (which would include 2026).
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
El Niño is one of the most powerful climate patterns on Earth, capable of reshaping global weather and affecting rainfall and drought, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for drought
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Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Several local utilities drawing from the Catawba River basin moved into mandatory restrictions this month under the basin’s Low Inflow Protocol, a regional drought-management system that coordinates conservation efforts.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Another rule of thumb, Elke says, is that the hatch tends to kick off sooner during drought and low-water years (which would include 2026).
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
El Niño is one of the most powerful climate patterns on Earth, capable of reshaping global weather and affecting rainfall and drought, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for drought
Cite this Entry
“Drought.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drought. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
drought
noun
variants
also drouth
ˈdrau̇t 
ˈdrau̇th
: a long period of dry weather
droughty
adjective
-ē
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