Trough vs. Through — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023
Trough is a long, open container, while through is a preposition indicating movement from one end to another.
Difference Between Trough and Through
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Trough is a container or receptacle, often elongated, for holding water or feed, while through is a preposition used to indicate movement within or passage across an area. Both words are used in different contexts, with trough generally associated with agriculture and through with direction.
When referring to trough, one might envision farm animals drinking from a container. In contrast, through provides a sense of continuity, like traveling from the beginning of a tunnel to its end. The essence of trough lies in containment, whereas through implies passage.
In meteorology, a trough can be a region of low atmospheric pressure, while through in literature might refer to the entirety of a process or experience, as in "going through a transformation." Trough speaks to a low point or depression, whereas through signifies progression.
Trough can also denote a low point or a condition of scarcity, like the trough of an economic cycle. On the other hand, through can be used in expressions like "see it through," emphasizing persistence and continuity.
Interestingly, while trough has a physical or tangible aspect, representing a concrete object or a state, through is more abstract, denoting movement, progression, or duration in various contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Preposition, Adverb
Meaning
Container, depression
Movement from one side to another
Contextual Usage
Agriculture, Meteorology
Direction, Duration
Tangibility
Often refers to a physical object
Refers to movement or process
Example Phrases
"Trough of water", "Economic trough"
"Walk through the door", "Read through the book"
Compare with Definitions
Trough
A long, open container for animals to eat or drink from.
The horses drank from the trough.
Through
From one end or side to another.
We walked through the forest.
Trough
A channel or gutter for carrying off water or other fluids.
Rainwater flowed swiftly in the trough.
Through
Over the whole duration of.
He worked from dawn through dusk.
Trough
A low point in a process or state.
The economy hit a trough last year.
Through
In one side and out the opposite or another side of
Went through the tunnel.
Trough
A long, hollow indentation, especially in the land or sea.
The deep trough in the valley was filled with water after the rains.
Through
Among or between; in the midst of
A walk through the flowers.
Trough
An elongated region of low atmospheric pressure.
The weather map showed a trough approaching from the west.
Through
By way of
Climbed in through the window.
Trough
A long, narrow, generally shallow receptacle for holding water or feed for animals.
Through
By the means or agency of
Bought the antique vase through a dealer.
Trough
Any of various similar containers for domestic or industrial use, such as kneading or washing.
Through
Into and out of the handling, care, processing, modification, or consideration of
Her application went through our office. Run the figures through the computer.
Trough
A gutter under the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater.
Through
Here and there in; around
A tour through France.
Trough
A long, narrow depression, as between waves or ridges.
Through
From the beginning to the end of
Stayed up through the night.
Trough
A low point in a business cycle or on a statistical graph.
Through
At or to the end of; done or finished with, especially successfully
We are through the initial testing period.
Trough
(Meteorology) An elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with a front.
Through
Up to and including
A play that runs through December.
A volume that covers A through D.
Trough
(Physics) A minimum point in a wave or an alternating signal.
Through
Past and without stopping for
Drove through a red light.
Trough
A long, narrow container, open on top, for feeding or watering animals.
One of Hank's chores was to slop the pigs' trough each morning and evening.
Through
Because of; on account of
She succeeded through hard work. He declined the honor through modesty.
Trough
Any similarly shaped container.
Through
From one end or side to another or an opposite end or side
Opened the door and went through.
Trough
A rectangular container used for washing or rinsing clothes.
Ernest threw his paint brushes into a kind of trough he had fashioned from sheet metal that he kept in the sink.
Through
From beginning to end; completely
I read the article once through.
Trough
A short, narrow canal designed to hold water until it drains or evaporates.
There was a small trough that the sump pump emptied into; it was filled with mosquito larvae.
Through
Throughout the whole extent or thickness; thoroughly
Warmed the leftovers clear through.
Got soaked through in the rain.
A letter that was shot through with the writer's personality.
Trough
(Canada) A gutter under the eaves of a building; an eaves trough.
The troughs were filled with leaves and needed clearing.
Through
Over the total distance; all the way
Drove through to their final destination.
Trough
A channel for conveying water or other farm liquids (such as milk) from place to place by gravity; any ‘U’ or ‘V’ cross-sectioned irrigation channel.
Through
To a conclusion or an accomplishment
See a matter through.
Trough
A long, narrow depression between waves or ridges; the low portion of a wave cycle.
The buoy bobbed between the crests and troughs of the waves moving across the bay.
The neurologist pointed to a troubling trough in the pattern of his brain-waves.
Through
Allowing continuous passage; unobstructed
A through street.
Trough
(economy) low turning point or a local minimum of a business cycle
Through
Affording transportation to a destination with few or no stops and no transfers
A through bus.
A through ticket.
Trough
(meteorology) A linear atmospheric depression associated with a weather front.
Through
Continuing on a highway without exiting
Through traffic.
Through lanes.
Trough
To eat in a vulgar style, as if from a trough.
He troughed his way through three meat pies.
Through
Passing or extending from one end, side, or surface to another
A through beam.
Trough
A long, hollow vessel, generally for holding water or other liquid, especially one formed by excavating a log longitudinally on one side; a long tray; also, a wooden channel for conveying water, as to a mill wheel.
Through
Having finished; at completion
She was through with the project.
Trough
Any channel, receptacle, or depression, of a long and narrow shape; as, trough between two ridges, etc.
Through
Having no further concern, dealings, or connection
I'm through with him.
Trough
The transverse section of a cyclonic area where the barometric pressure, neither rising nor falling, has reached its lowest point.
Through
Having no more use, value, or potential; washed-up
That swimmer is through as an athlete.
Trough
A narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)
Through
Doomed to death or destruction.
Trough
A channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
Through
From one side of an opening to the other.
I went through the window.
Trough
A concave shape with an open top
Through
Entering, then later leaving.
I drove through the town at top speed without looking left or right.
Trough
A treasury for government funds
Through
Surrounded by (while moving).
We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up.
Trough
A long narrow shallow receptacle
Through
By means of.
This team believes in winning through intimidation.
Trough
A container (usually in a barn or stable) from which cattle or horses feed
Through
In consequence of; as a result of.
Through
(North America) To (or up to) and including, with all intermediate values.
From 1945 through 1991;
The numbers 1 through 9;
Your membership is active through March 15, 2013
Through
Passing from one side of something to the other.
Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads.
Through
Finished; complete.
They were through with laying the subroof by noon.
Through
Without a future; done for.
After being implicated in the scandal, he was through as an executive in financial services.
Through
No longer interested; wearied or turned off by experience.
She was through with him.
Through
Proceeding from origin to destination without delay due to change of equipment.
The through flight through Memphis was the fastest.
Through
(association football) In possession of the ball beyond the last line of defence but not necessarily the goalkeeper; through on goal.
Through
From one side to the other by way of the interior.
The arrow went straight through.
Through
From one end to the other.
Others slept; he worked straight through.
She read the letter through.
Through
During a period of time; throughout
He worked through the night.
Through
To the end.
He said he would see it through.
Through
Completely.
Leave the yarn in the dye overnight so the color soaks through.
Through
Out into the open.
The American army broke through at Saint-Lô.
Through
A large slab of stone laid in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.
Through
(obsolete) A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb.
Through
From end to end of, or from side to side of; from one surface or limit of, to the opposite; into and out of at the opposite, or at another, point; as, to bore through a piece of timber, or through a board; a ball passes through the side of a ship.
Through
Between the sides or walls of; within; as, to pass through a door; to go through an avenue.
Through the gate of ivory he dismissedHis valiant offspring.
Through
By means of; by the agency of.
Through these hands this science has passed with great applause.
Material things are presented only through their senses.
Through
Over the whole surface or extent of; as, to ride through the country; to look through an account.
Through
Among or in the midst of; - used to denote passage; as, a fish swims through the water; the light glimmers through a thicket.
Through
From the beginning to the end of; to the end or conclusion of; as, through life; through the year.
Through
From one end or side to the other; as, to pierce a thing through.
Through
From beginning to end; as, to read a letter through.
Through
To the end; to a conclusion; to the ultimate purpose; as, to carry a project through.
Through
Going or extending through; going, extending, or serving from the beginning to the end; thorough; complete; as, a through line; a through ticket; a through train. Also, admitting of passage through; as, a through bridge.
Through
Having finished or arrived at completion;
Certain to make history before he's done
It's a done deed
After the treatment, the patient is through except for follow-up
Almost through with his studies
Through
Of a route or journey etc.; continuing without requiring stops or changes;
A through street
A through bus
Through traffic
Through
From one end or side to the other;
Jealousy pierced her through
Through
From beginning to end;
Read this book through
Through
Over the whole distance;
This bus goes through to New York
Through
To completion;
Think this through very carefully!
Through
In diameter;
This cylinder measures 15 inches through
Through
Throughout the entire extent;
Got soaked through in the rain
I'm frozen through
A letter shot through with the writer's personality
Knew him through and through
Boards rotten through and through
Through
As a result of; by means of.
She succeeded through hard work.
Through
Up to and including.
The store is open Monday through Friday.
Through
Having finished; done.
Once you are through with the task, let me know.
Common Curiosities
How is through used as a preposition?
Through indicates movement from one end or side to another, such as "going through a tunnel."
What is the basic definition of trough?
Trough is a long, open container often used for holding water or feed.
How does through relate to time?
Through can indicate duration, as in "working from morning through evening."
What does it mean to say "through and through"?
"Through and through" means completely or thoroughly.
Can trough refer to something other than a container?
Yes, trough can denote a low point or condition of scarcity, like in economics or meteorology.
Is trough always related to a downward or low state?
Often, but not always. While it can indicate a low point, it primarily refers to a container or channel.
Is there a synonym for trough when referring to a low point?
Yes, "nadir" can be a synonym in some contexts.
Is the 'gh' in trough and through pronounced the same?
No, in "trough" it's pronounced as "f" and in "through" it's silent.
Does trough have a plural form?
Yes, it's "troughs."
In which contexts is through commonly used?
Through is used in contexts indicating direction, means, duration, or completion.
Can through be used in expressions?
Absolutely, like "going through a tough time."
How can I remember the difference between trough and through?
Think of "trough" as a container and "through" as indicating movement or passage.
Can trough refer to a part of a wave?
Yes, it can denote the lowest point of a wave.
Can through be used to indicate a medium or method?
Yes, like in "learning through experience."
How do I use trough in a sentence related to meteorology?
"The meteorologist predicted rain due to the approaching trough."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
