drought

noun

ˈdrau̇t How to pronounce drought (audio)
variants or less commonly drouth
ˈdrau̇th How to pronounce drought (audio)
Synonyms of drought
1
: a period of dryness especially when prolonged
specifically : one that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth
resistant to drought
2
: a prolonged or chronic shortage or lack of something expected or desired
a drought of creativity
droughtiness
ˈdrau̇-tē-nəs How to pronounce drought (audio)
noun
droughty
ˈdrau̇-tē
adjective

Synonyms of drought

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Examples of drought in a Sentence

The drought caused serious damage to crops. a period of drought that lasted several years
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rising sea levels risk submerging low-lying habitats, and increasingly severe droughts threaten to dry up food and shade. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026 The Yankees’ title drought, tied for the longest since 1923, is the fault of many — players (including Judge) and decision-makers alike. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 This year, with record-breaking high temperatures, an intense snow drought and El Niño affecting weather patterns, there’s a chance the frost could come later than normal. — Hali Smith october 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026 In early 2010, drought lowered water levels at the Guri dam, prompting then-President Hugo Chávez to declare a national electricity emergency. — Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drought

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English drūgath, from drūgian to dry up; akin to Old English drȳge dry — more at dry

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drought was before the 12th century

Rhymes for drought

See All Rhymes for drought

Browse Nearby Words

Drouet
drought
droughtiness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drought.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drought. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

drought

noun
variants also drouth
ˈdrau̇t How to pronounce drought (audio)
ˈdrau̇th
: a long period of dry weather
droughty
-ē
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on drought

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drought

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