Trough

/tɹɒf/ · noun

Meaning

A long, narrow container, open on top, for feeding or watering animals..

Definitions by Sense

1. A long, narrow container, open on top, for feeding or watering animals.
2. Any similarly shaped container.
3. A short, narrow canal designed to hold water until it drains or evaporates.
4. (colloquial) An undivided metal urinal (plumbing fixture)
5. (Canada) A gutter under the eaves of a building; an eaves trough.
6. (agriculture, Australia, New Zealand) A channel for conveying water or other farm liquids (such as milk) from place to place by gravity; any ‘U’ or ‘V’ cross-sectioned irrigation channel.
7. A long, narrow depression between waves or ridges; the low portion of a wave cycle.
8. (economics) A low turning point or a local minimum of a business cycle.

Example Sentences

One of Harriet's chores was to slop the pigs' trough each morning and evening.

Now, covered concrete troughs to house the cables are laid parallel with the railway lines, cheapening maintenance because of improved accessibility for inspection and repair.

It just clips on the front of the stage without any special trough, has no great power and occupies only one dimmer, […]

There was a small trough that the sump pump emptied into; it was filled with mosquito larvae.

The troughs were filled with leaves and needed clearing.

The buoy bobbed between the crests and troughs of the waves moving across the bay.

The neurologist pointed to a troubling trough in the pattern of his brain-waves.

He troughed his way through three meat pies.

Synonyms for trough

Antonyms for trough

Related Words

Word Forms

• troughs
• troughing
• troughed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions