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
Possible mosquito breeding areas can include fish ponds, swimming pools, spas, standing water, tree holes, containers, bird baths, roof gutters, pet water bowls, street gutters, wading pools and watering troughs.
—
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026
Come Wednesday, the high pressure that is building is expected to slide away, influenced by yet another trough that’s expected to cool temperatures about 20 degrees from their Monday highs, according to the weather service.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
It’s also filled with plenty of thoughtful details, like horse trough bathtubs, Italian linens, Grown Alchemist amenities, and a notable art collection spanning Ruscha to Baldessari.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 8 May 2026
The system — a sluggish trough of low pressure extending from the Four Corners in the desert Southwest to Baja California late Wednesday — is now expected to bring wetter weather to Houston this weekend.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for trough
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Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026
Come Wednesday, the high pressure that is building is expected to slide away, influenced by yet another trough that’s expected to cool temperatures about 20 degrees from their Monday highs, according to the weather service.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
It’s also filled with plenty of thoughtful details, like horse trough bathtubs, Italian linens, Grown Alchemist amenities, and a notable art collection spanning Ruscha to Baldessari.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 8 May 2026
The system — a sluggish trough of low pressure extending from the Four Corners in the desert Southwest to Baja California late Wednesday — is now expected to bring wetter weather to Houston this weekend.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for trough
Cite this Entry
“Trough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trough. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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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