megadrought

[meg-uh-drout]

noun

1. a severe drought lasting for two or more decades.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of megadrought¹

First recorded in 2000–05; mega- ( def. ) + drought ( def. )

Example Sentences

Scientists have determined that the last 25 years have probably been the driest quarter-century in western North America in 1,200 years, a severe megadrought that research shows is being intensified by rising temperatures.

From Los Angeles Times

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

I’ll never forget the seawall that was supposed to protect a village off the coast of Israel from rising seas as the glaciers of the most recent ice age melted—it’s now been underwater for 7,000 years—or the way the poorest residents of the previously egalitarian city of Harappa, in Pakistan, died violent deaths as a megadrought dragged on.

From Slate

Western states have faced a decadeslong megadrought—the worst in more than a thousand years.

From Slate

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