Weather / B2

DROWT/draʊt/

A drought is a long stretch with little or no rain, so crops, rivers, and water supplies suffer: a severe drought, drought-resistant crops. Dry spell is milder and shorter; famine is about food running out, which a drought may cause but is not the same word. In speech, a long time with no rain is enough. Do not use drought for one hot afternoon, and do not mix it with draught (British: a current of air, or beer from a tap).

Meaning

A long period with little or no rain, so that land, crops, and water supplies suffer.

Examples

• “The drought ruined the wheat harvest.”
• “The drought emptied the reservoir before the summer peak.”
• “Farmers stored water after last year’s drought, which is planning, not a weather forecast.”

Good to know

A long period with no useful rain. Everyday: a long time with no rain. Contrast: a dry spell (shorter); famine (food). Mix-up: draught.

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