megadrought

American

[meg-uh-drout] / ˈmɛg əˌdraʊt /

noun

a severe drought lasting for two or more decades.

The driest parts of the American West are already in the grips of a megadrought.

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.

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

An example of this is the megadrought in the United States' southwestern region that started in the year 2000 and has continued for more than two decades.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2024

Scientists note in the report that the Southwest has, since 2000, experienced a megadrought that research showed to be the driest in 1,200 years, and that rising temperatures have been a major driver.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2023

A megadrought and forest fires continue to threaten native forests today.

From Salon • Oct. 5, 2023

The terrible effects of the megadrought in the US West have been growing clearer every year.

From NewsForKids.net • Feb. 16, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023