megadrought
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of megadrought
First recorded in 2000–05; mega- ( def. ) + drought ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Experts have described the prolonged dry period as a megadrought, and it continues to place intense pressure on the region's limited water supplies.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026
Scientists have found that global warming is intensifying this long megadrought and has caused roughly half of the 20% decrease in the Colorado River’s average flow this century.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2025
They found that this megadrought wouldn’t be nearly as severe without global warming, estimating that 42% of its severity was attributable to higher temperatures.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2024
If wetter-than-average conditions continue, he said, it might be the case that the megadrought already ended after 23 years in 2023.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2024
Last year’s snow came after a megadrought that started around the turn of the century and was one of the worst in more than 1,000 years.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 29, 2024
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
