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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Currently, the National Hurricane Center is watching four systems including Hurricane Earl, which at one point was forecast to become the season’s first major hurricane, but was stymied by wind shear and a trough of low pressure. 
Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 While other bears often opt for natural berries and ant nests in the forest, Jack is old and a bit stiff, and will go for the trough of cashew nuts and sunflower seeds always available here. Doug Struck, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Sep. 2022 The weather service said a trough of low pressure has been parked to the west of Alabama and won’t move much, which is helping set off the rain showers that have been persistent over the weekend. Leigh Morgan, al, 5 Sep. 2022 Historically, the average trough P/E in bear markets was 11.9x. Jeffrey Schulze, Forbes, 15 July 2022 Meanwhile, the surface trough 200 miles northeast of the central Bahamas has diminished, the NHC said in its 8 a.m. update. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2022 In both 2011 and 2018, the S&P 500 fell 19% at the trough of deep selloffs. Caitlin Ostroff, WSJ, 19 May 2022 Alabama is currently a lot closer to the trough than the crest of any potential new wave. Ramsey Archibald | Rarchibald@al.com, al, 18 Dec. 2021 That’s up from its mid-June trough, when the index was trading off more than 30% for the year. Corrie Driebusch, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2022 See More
Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 While other bears often opt for natural berries and ant nests in the forest, Jack is old and a bit stiff, and will go for the trough of cashew nuts and sunflower seeds always available here. Doug Struck, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Sep. 2022 The weather service said a trough of low pressure has been parked to the west of Alabama and won’t move much, which is helping set off the rain showers that have been persistent over the weekend. Leigh Morgan, al, 5 Sep. 2022 Historically, the average trough P/E in bear markets was 11.9x. Jeffrey Schulze, Forbes, 15 July 2022 Meanwhile, the surface trough 200 miles northeast of the central Bahamas has diminished, the NHC said in its 8 a.m. update. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2022 In both 2011 and 2018, the S&P 500 fell 19% at the trough of deep selloffs. Caitlin Ostroff, WSJ, 19 May 2022 Alabama is currently a lot closer to the trough than the crest of any potential new wave. Ramsey Archibald | Rarchibald@al.com, al, 18 Dec. 2021 That’s up from its mid-June trough, when the index was trading off more than 30% for the year. Corrie Driebusch, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
trough
noun
ˈtrȯf
1
: a long shallow open container especially for water or feed for livestock
2
: a channel for water : gutter
3
: a long channel or hollow
Medical Definition
trough
see gingival trough
troughs
noun
1
as in pipes
a long hollow cylinder for carrying a substance (as a liquid or gas) all of the wiring for the converted residential loft is concealed in a vertical trough Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- pipes
- conduits
- tubes
- funnels
- channels
- drains
- penstocks
- ducts
- lines
- pipings
- pipelines
- standpipes
- leaders
- drainpipes
- spouts
- tiles
- waterspouts
- smokestacks
- stovepipes
- mains
- hydrants
- waste pipes
- pipeages
- pipages
2
as in ditches
a long narrow channel dug in the earth I slid and fell into the trough by the side of the road, scraping my leg Synonyms & Similar Words
- ditches
- trenches
- gutters
- ravines
- furrows
- dikes
- fosses
- moats
- gullies
- gulleys
- drains
- culverts
- sheughs
- acequias
- drills
- kennels
- draws
- sunk fences
- stanks
- ha-has
3
as in gutters
a pipe or channel for carrying off water from a roof the troughs on the eaves of the house were clogged with leaves Synonyms & Similar Words
- gutters
- waterspouts
- sluices
- drainpipes
- aqueducts
- ducts
- spouts
- drains
- eaves troughs
- flumes
- rainspouts
- conduits