Trough vs. Through: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 12, 2023
A trough is a long, narrow container, while through is a preposition indicating movement from one side to another.
Key Differences
"Trough" and "Through" are distinct words with different pronunciations and meanings. "Trough" often refers to a container, typically elongated, used to hold water or food for animals. In contrast, "Through" is a versatile word that can function as a preposition, adverb, or adjective. It usually conveys the idea of entering one side and exiting the other. One could say the water flows through a pipe, but it might collect in a trough.
When considering their etymological roots, "Trough" comes from Old English "troh," which means a hollow or vessel, while "Through" comes from Old English "þurh," related to passing or moving. Even phonetically, they differ; "Trough" is pronounced as "trof" in American English, while "Through" is pronounced as "throo."
In everyday usage, "Trough" commonly signifies containers in farming or even valleys between waves. "Through," on the other hand, appears frequently in various contexts, from describing movement (going through a tunnel) to indicating time (all through the night). Importantly, "Through" has a broader range of application than "Trough."
Though these words might appear similar at a glance due to their spelling, their usages and contexts are distinctly different. It's essential to discern between them to ensure clarity in communication.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Preposition, Adverb, Adjective
ADVERTISEMENT
Pronunciation
Trof
Throo
Basic Meaning
A long container or depression
Moving from one side to another
Origin
Old English "troh"
Old English "þurh"
Example
Used for feeding animals
Indicating movement or passage
Trough and Through Definitions
Trough
The lowest point in a wave.
After the wave crest, the trough followed.
ADVERTISEMENT
Through
Moving in one side and out of the other side.
She walked through the door.
Trough
A long, narrow open container for animals to eat or drink from.
The horse drank water from the trough.
Through
Continuing in time toward completion.
He worked through the night.
Trough
A point of low activity or achievement.
The company's sales hit a trough last year.
Through
As a result of; because of.
She succeeded through hard work.
Trough
A long, hollowed-out area, such as those used for communal eating in ancient times.
The old church had a stone trough for holy water.
Through
Indicating the extent or degree of something.
The rumor spread through the town.
Trough
A long, narrow, generally shallow receptacle for holding water or feed for animals.
Through
In one side and out the opposite or another side of
Went through the tunnel.
Trough
Any of various similar containers for domestic or industrial use, such as kneading or washing.
Through
Among or between; in the midst of
A walk through the flowers.
Trough
A gutter under the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater.
Through
By way of
Climbed in through the window.
Trough
A long, narrow depression, as between waves or ridges.
Through
By the means or agency of
Bought the antique vase through a dealer.
Trough
A low point in a business cycle or on a statistical graph.
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
(Meteorology) An elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with a front.
Through
Here and there in; around
A tour through France.
Trough
(Physics) A minimum point in a wave or an alternating signal.
Through
From the beginning to the end of
Stayed up through the night.
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
At or to the end of; done or finished with, especially successfully
We are through the initial testing period.
Trough
Any similarly shaped container.
Through
Up to and including
A play that runs through December.
A volume that covers A through D.
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
Past and without stopping for
Drove through a red light.
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
Because of; on account of
She succeeded through hard work. He declined the honor through modesty.
Trough
(Canada) A gutter under the eaves of a building; an eaves trough.
The troughs were filled with leaves and needed clearing.
Through
From one end or side to another or an opposite end or side
Opened the door and went through.
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
From beginning to end; completely
I read the article once 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
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
(economy) low turning point or a local minimum of a business cycle
Through
Over the total distance; all the way
Drove through to their final destination.
Trough
(meteorology) A linear atmospheric depression associated with a weather front.
Through
To a conclusion or an accomplishment
See a matter through.
Trough
To eat in a vulgar style, as if from a trough.
He troughed his way through three meat pies.
Through
Allowing continuous passage; unobstructed
A through street.
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
Affording transportation to a destination with few or no stops and no transfers
A through bus.
A through ticket.
Trough
Any channel, receptacle, or depression, of a long and narrow shape; as, trough between two ridges, etc.
Through
Continuing on a highway without exiting
Through traffic.
Through lanes.
Trough
The transverse section of a cyclonic area where the barometric pressure, neither rising nor falling, has reached its lowest point.
Through
Passing or extending from one end, side, or surface to another
A through beam.
Trough
A narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)
Through
Having finished; at completion
She was through with the project.
Trough
A channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
Through
Having no further concern, dealings, or connection
I'm through with him.
Trough
A concave shape with an open top
Through
Having no more use, value, or potential; washed-up
That swimmer is through as an athlete.
Trough
A treasury for government funds
Through
Doomed to death or destruction.
Trough
A long narrow shallow receptacle
Through
From one side of an opening to the other.
I went through the window.
Trough
A container (usually in a barn or stable) from which cattle or horses feed
Through
Entering, then later leaving.
I drove through the town at top speed without looking left or right.
Trough
A channel used to convey a liquid.
The gutter served as a trough for the rainwater.
Through
Surrounded by (while moving).
We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up.
Through
By means of.
This team believes in winning through intimidation.
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
At the end of; having finished.
He slept through the movie.
FAQs
Is "Trough" related to farming?
Yes, troughs are often used in farming to feed or water animals.
Does "Trough" have meanings outside of containers?
Yes, like indicating the low point in a wave or a cycle.
Can "Through" be used to describe a container?
No, "Through" describes movement or extent, not a container.
Can "Through" act as an adjective?
Yes, e.g., a "through road" means a road passing from one side to another.
Is "Trough" always a physical object?
No, it can also signify low points in abstract cycles, like business cycles.
Can "Through" describe the cause of something?
Yes, e.g., "She succeeded through determination."
Are "Trough" and "Through" homophones?
No, they have different pronunciations.
Can "Through" indicate time?
Yes, e.g., "She worked through the night."
Is "Trough" used in meteorology?
Yes, it can indicate areas of low atmospheric pressure.
Can "Trough" be used in finance?
Yes, indicating the lowest point in a business cycle.
Is "Through" synonymous with "Via"?
In some contexts, like indicating a medium or way, they can be synonymous.
Does "Through" always indicate a complete passage?
Generally, yes, indicating from start to finish or one side to another.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
