drought
a period of dry weather, especially a long one that is injurious to crops.
an extended shortage: a drought of good writing.
Archaic. thirst.
Origin of drought
1- Also drouth [drouth] /draʊθ/ .
pronunciation note For drought
In American English, drought with the pronunciation [drout] /draʊt/ is common everywhere in educated speech, and is the usual printed form.
Other words for drought
Words that may be confused with drought
- draught, drought
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use drought in a sentence
The main and the north fork of the Canadian are exemptions from the effects of summer drouth.
The Indian in his Wigwam | Henry R. SchoolcraftThat was the year of the "drouth," and he apprised the brethren where he preached of the destitution in Kansas.
Personal Recollections of Pardee Butler | Pardee ButlerAt which thing one of his chamberleins maruelling, asked the cause of his drouth.
Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (3 of 6): England (7 of 9) | Raphael HolinshedThe creek filled to its banks, the field and garden freshened in a day, and the new ranch threw off the blight of summer drouth.
Wells Brothers | Andy AdamsThe drouth was telling on Glendon's small herd, but he had more important things to think about now.
The Long Dim Trail | Forrestine C. Hooker
British Dictionary definitions for drought
/ (draʊt) /
a prolonged period of scanty rainfall
a prolonged shortage
an archaic or dialect word for thirst Archaic and Scot form: drouth
Origin of drought
1Derived forms of drought
- droughty, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for drought
[ drout ]
A long period of abnormally low rainfall, lasting up to several years.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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