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
His early existence was Dickensian in the extreme, with its desperate troughs and lurching reversals of fortune.
—
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
However, Moore thinks the stock has finally hit its trough.
—Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 12 Feb. 2025
The jet undulates up and down in ridges and troughs that help steer weather systems around in the northern hemisphere, from cold fronts to hurricanes.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
The big picture: The current weather pattern is shaped by atmospheric ridges and troughs across the Northern Hemisphere, Guy told Axios.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trough
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Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
However, Moore thinks the stock has finally hit its trough.
—Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 12 Feb. 2025
The jet undulates up and down in ridges and troughs that help steer weather systems around in the northern hemisphere, from cold fronts to hurricanes.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
The big picture: The current weather pattern is shaped by atmospheric ridges and troughs across the Northern Hemisphere, Guy told Axios.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trough
Cite this Entry
“Trough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trough. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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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