trough

noun

ˈtrȯf How to pronounce trough (audio)
Definition of troughnext
1
as in pipe
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

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2
as in ditch
a long narrow channel dug in the earth I slid and fell into the trough by the side of the road, scraping my leg

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3
as in gutter
a pipe or channel for carrying off water from a roof the troughs on the eaves of the house were clogged with leaves

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trough Next week a massive trough of cooler low pressure air is set to dip down as early as Tuesday from the Gulf of Alaska, ushering in temps well below normal and a chance of showers and mountain snow. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Along the coast, a trough of low air pressure is expected to develop along the same frontal boundary bringing cooler fall weather to Houston. — Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 16 Oct. 2026 At the trough, from February 2024 through mid-2026, weekly transits averaged just 141,000 TEU, or 11 percent of 2023 levels. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 Their Angora goats and Rambouillet sheep roam over the land, stopping at a network of water troughs. — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trough
  1. pipe
  2. ditch
  3. gutter
  4. conduit
  5. trench
  6. tube
  7. ravine
  8. funnel
Noun
  • The mollusks can form dense colonies that clog pipes, obstruct water flow and foul boat motors.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Prolonged pump stoppages could lead to a disastrous local scenario of ruptured water supply, district heating, and sewage pipes, even if electricity remains available elsewhere in the country.
    — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pipe
Noun
  • About four hours later, her body was found in a ditch in a forest preserve southwest of Chicago.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The car then went off the road to the east, went into a ditch and struck a tree.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of ditch
Noun
  • Officials urged displaced residents to check on their properties, clear gutters and remove debris before the rain arrives.
    — Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Rural roads lack curbs, gutters and sidewalks, and small farms with livestock are allowed and encouraged.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of gutter
Noun
  • His Kyrie organization now serves as a TEFA conduit for three new locations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The city's conduit agreement with BGE calls for $120 million of capital improvements over the course of four years.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of conduit
Noun
  • Sharp suits and smoking jackets came alongside cocoon shapes, functional hunting jackets, double-breasted trenches and generous winter coats, with longer lengths and full collars suggesting the urban style of the 1980s and ’90s.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Once summer’s squarely behind her, the royal wears a steady rotation of coat dresses, trenches, blazers, and every other type of outerwear under the sun.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of trench
Noun
  • Several kids braved the 37-foot-tall slide, their screams echoing from inside the metal tube before popping out (usually with a smile).
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
  • These small tubes return water and nutrients to the blood and help form urine.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of tube
Noun
  • On the way back, a vehicle in the convoy veered off the road and fell into a ravine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Six schoolboys were left dangling roughly 900 feet above a ravine after a cable snapped, setting off a high-stakes rescue that demanded nerves of steel.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of ravine
Noun
  • From the dangerous Sydney funnel-web to the common huntsman, Australia is home to its fair share of spiders.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Opt for pointy heels instead of sneakers, wide-leg pants instead of skinny jeans, and a trendy funnel-neck jacket just to dial up the chicness.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of funnel

Phrases Containing trough

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troublous
trough
troughs
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Cite this Entry

“Trough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trough. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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