<p>Due to the increases of greenhouse gas concentrations and excessive destruction of forests, climate change will continue with elevated temperature and more severe and frequent drought. Drought will have direct negative impacts on the agricultural economy and food production in the world. Considering the increasing population and demand for drinking water and food, it is important to have a better understanding of drought and its impacts on plants. In this review article, we provided an overview of drought, its definition, type, and historical studies, and focused more on its impacts on plants and strategies plants use to deal with drought. Further research on the drought impacts on terrestrial ecosystems more broadly needs to be conducted in the future.</p>