1. long, narrow containers used to hold food or water for animals
2. long, narrow depressions or valleys, especially between waves or hills
3. the lowest points in a cycle, pattern, or series of events

Examples

• The farmer filled the water troughs for the cattle.
• Pigs gathered around the feeding troughs at dinner time.
• The ship rode through the troughs between the large waves.
• Deep troughs carved by glaciers created the mountain valleys.
• The economy experienced several troughs during the recession.
• Stock prices hit new troughs before beginning to recover.
• Weather patterns showed alternating peaks and troughs in temperature.