depression

noun

de·​pres·​sion di-ˈpre-shən 

dē-

plural depressions

1

: an act of depressing or a state of being depressed: such as

a

: a state of feeling sad : low spirits : melancholy

specifically : a mood disorder that is marked by varying degrees of sadness, despair, and loneliness and that is typically accompanied by inactivity, guilt, loss of concentration, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and sometimes suicidal tendencies see also clinical depression, major depression, postpartum depression

b(1)

: a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force

a depression in trade

(2)

biology : a lowering of physical or mental vitality or of functional activity

c

: a pressing down : lowering

a depression of the tab key

2

a

economics : a long-lasting period of greatly reduced general economic activity marked especially by widespread unemployment and declines in trade and production and often by deflation

a country heading towards a depression

periods of economic depression

compare recession entry 1 sense 2

b

the Depression : great depression

3

: a place or part that is lower than the surrounding area : a depressed place or part : hollow

The chicken pox left several depressions in her skin.

4

meteorology : low entry 2 sense 1b

a tropical depression

5

a

astronomy : the angular distance of a celestial object below the horizon

b

mathematics : the size of an angle of depression

Synonyms

• recession
• slump

Examples of depression in a Sentence

She has been undergoing treatment for severe depression.

Many people suffer from clinical depression for years before being diagnosed.

After several years of an economic boom, it looks as though we may be heading toward a depression.

The photographs show depressions in the moon's surface.

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s the pressure to perform both academically and athletically and balance the responsibilities of each, which can lead to anxiety and depression, experts said. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

The young drivers, in particular, are part of a generation with soaring rates of anxiety and depression. —Alec Sutherland, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024

The new report finds that currently, one in three Indians is pre-diabetic, two in three are pre-hypertensive, and one in 10 struggles with depression. —Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024

The main crises facing kids, according to their teachers, include poverty, chronic absenteeism, and anxiety and depression. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024

The musician, who struggled with depression, a debilitating and unexplained stomach ailment and substance abuse issues, died by suicide on April 5, 1994. —Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

Prolonged sitting has been linked to early mortality, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and anxiety, and even exhaustion and job dissatisfaction. —Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024

Because of omega-3’s role in brain health, a lack of DHA, in particular, may increase the risk of mental health issues like bipolar disorder and depression. —Isabel Vasquez, Rd, Ldn, Parents, 4 Apr. 2024

It also is used to help fight depression and stimulate the mind, boosting cognition. —Michael Carroll, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see depress

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5a

Phrases Containing depression

• manic depression
• unipolar depression
• angle of depression
• clinical depression
• postpartum depression
• major depression

Kids Definition

depression

noun

de·​pres·​sion di-ˈpresh-ən 

1

: an act of depressing : a state of being depressed: as

a

: a pressing down : lowering

b

: a state of feeling sad : dejection

also : a mental disorder marked by sadness, inactivity, and loss of a sense of one's own worth

c

: a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force

2

: a depressed place or part : hollow

a depression in the road

3

: a period of low general economic activity with widespread unemployment

Medical Definition

depression

noun

de·​pres·​sion di-ˈpresh-ən 

1

: a displacement downward or inward

depression of the jaw

2

: an act of depressing or a state of being depressed: as

a

: a state of feeling sad : low spirits : melancholy

specifically : a mood disorder marked by varying degrees of sadness, despair, and loneliness that is typically accompanied by inactivity, guilt, loss of concentration, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and sometimes suicidal tendencies see also clinical depression, major depression, postpartum depression

b

: a reduction in functional activity, amount, quality, or force

depression of autonomic function

depression of red blood cells