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

• channel
• conduit
• duct
• leader
• line
• penstock
• pipe
• tube

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

Because of this demographic trough, the country has three times as many men in their 40s as in their 20s. —Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024

You’re really confronted with yourself, so there are peaks and troughs. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2024

This trough has high potential of moisture, bringing rain and a slight dip in temperatures. —Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2024

Pots, troughs, stepping stones, garden ornaments can all be made of hypertufa. —Kenneth Setzer, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

His graph resembles an EKG monitor, with rhythmic spikes and troughs that tick along over the years until suddenly a line juts way up in 2020, signaling over six million weekly claims. —Matthew Desmond, The New York Review of Books, 28 Dec. 2023

By the end of 2022, the total value of homes across the country was close to hitting a trough because the market cooled so dramatically as a reaction to the mortgage rate shock. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2024

Prom is an elaborate photo shoot with dozens of sheep amidst streamers, balloons, punch, donuts, and a seafood trough. —Ryan Craig, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024

In the western part of the country, there's a trough in the Jetstream and those cooler temperatures will eventually move east into our area. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Feb. 2024

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

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