Word
Definition
n. a long, narrow container for animals to eat or drink from. In business, it also describes the lowest point in a cycle, like when prices or sales are at their worst.
n. a long, shallow open container for animal feed or water; by extension, the lowest point of a fluctuating cycle in economics or meteorology.
Examples
“The farmer filled the trough with fresh water for the pigs.”
“Economists noted that the market reached its trough in mid-winter before beginning a slow recovery in the spring.”
“While the peak of the cycle brought record profits, the subsequent trough forced the company to liquidate several non-core assets to maintain liquidity during the downturn.”
Examples
simple
“The farmer filled the trough with fresh water for the pigs.”
contextual
“Economists noted that the market reached its trough in mid-winter before beginning a slow recovery in the spring.”
complex
“While the peak of the cycle brought record profits, the subsequent trough forced the company to liquidate several non-core assets to maintain liquidity during the downturn.”
Usage
Often used metaphorically in economics to describe the bottom of a business cycle, contrasted with 'peak'.
Real-World Examples
“Her diva-era belters like Break Free and One Last Time are peaks amid the troughs of her newer, more subdued sounds.” “Heat-damaged water tanks, troughs and irrigation lines may release chemicals , while smoke or ash can enter through vents.” Etymology
PIE word *dóru From Middle English trogh, from Old English troh, trog (“a trough, tub, basin, vessel for containing liquids or other materials”), from Proto-West Germanic trog, from Proto-Germanic trugą, trugaz, from Proto-Indo-European drukós, enlargement of *dóru (“tree”). See also West Frisian trôch, Dutch trog, German Trog, Danish trug, Swedish tråg; also Middle Irish drochta (“wooden basin”), Old Armenian տարգալ (targal, “ladle, spoon”). More at tree.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/trough
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0