trough

[ trawf, trofor, sometimes, trawth, troth ]

noun

1. a long, narrow, open receptacle, usually boxlike in shape, used chiefly to hold water or food for animals.
2. any of several similarly shaped receptacles used for various commercial or household purposes.
3. a channel or conduit for conveying water, as a gutter under the eaves of a building for carrying away rainwater.
4. any long depression or hollow, as between two ridges or waves.
5. Oceanography. a long, wide, and deep depression in the ocean floor having gently sloping sides, wider and shallower than a trench. Compare trench ( def 4 ).
6. Meteorology. an elongated area of relatively low pressure.
7. the lowest point, especially in an economic cycle.

trough

/ trɒf /

noun

1. a narrow open container, esp one in which food or water for animals is put
2. a narrow channel, gutter, or gulley
3. a narrow depression either in the land surface, ocean bed, or between two successive waves
4. meteorol an elongated area of low pressure, esp an extension of a depression Compare ridge
5. a single or temporary low point; depression
6. physics the portion of a wave, such as a light wave, in which the amplitude lies below its average value
7. economics the lowest point or most depressed stage of the trade cycle

verb

1. informal.
   intr to eat, consume, or take greedily

trough

/ trôf /

1. The part of a wave with the least magnitude; the lowest part of a wave.
2. Compare crestSee more at wave
3. A narrow, elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure occurring at the ground surface or in the upper atmosphere, and often associated with a front.
4. Compare ridge

Derived Forms

• ˈtroughˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• troughlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trough¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English trōh; cognate with Dutch, German, Old Norse trog

Word History and Origins

Origin of trough¹

Old English trōh ; related to Old Saxon, Old Norse trog trough, Dutch trügge ladle

Example Sentences

"In the scope of a golfer’s career there are so many peaks and troughs and it worked out for me this year."

From BBC

The effects of RealPage's scheme was far-reaching; at least half of the country's landlords reportedly ate from the trough, calculating that even if rent hikes resulted in vacancies, they would still make larger profits.

From Salon

"In those troughs the second home owners do spend well in town."

From BBC

We know that Trump wants what they have — absolute power, office for life, a press that can’t scrutinize or criticize him, and the ability to turn the public treasury into his feeding trough.

From Salon

Final decisions over who gets to eat from his trough will be revealed to relevant groups by the end of November, another sign that he's thinking beyond one election cycle.

From Salon

Related Words

• trench