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

That trough has allowed the marine level to expand after its brief stints of compression and brings down temperatures, Gass said. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 27 June 2025

Witnesses said wind suddenly came from the north and created eight to ten-foot troughs around 3 p.m. local time, which Boat Captain Joby Cefalu suggested is worse than 30-foot waves on the sea, according to South Tahoe Now. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 24 June 2025

Today's fog harvesters are usually mesh nets mounted onto frames with a trough or basin underneath. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025

During the expedition, researchers also collected sediment samples, water and biota samples throughout the Southern Ocean at depths of up to 13,000 feet and across abyssal plains, hydrothermal vents, troughs, canyon walls and sea ice, according to the release. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 June 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