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

The 14 bear markets since 1946 have come with an average drawdown of 32%, with an average duration of 13 months from the market’s peak to its trough, according to data from investing research firm CFRA. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 7 May 2025

At that point in late January, the carcass’s resting place was a trough in the canyon that required pinpoint precision to reach. —Sruthi Gurudev Jules Jacobs, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

The trough is expected to be through the region by early next week. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025

Earthquakes have struck the trough off the Japanese main island's southern coastline every 100 to 150 years, with the last recorded in 1946. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 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