depth

noun

plural depths ˈdepths How to pronounce depth (audio) ˈdep(t)s How to pronounce depth (audio)
1
a(1)
: a deep place in a body of water
fish living at great depths
(2)
: a part that is far from the outside or surface
the depths of the woods
b(1)
: a profound or intense state (as of thought or feeling)
the depths of sorrow
also : a reprehensibly low condition
hadn't realized that standards had fallen to such depths
(2)
: the middle of a time (such as a season)
the depths of winter
(3)
: the worst part
the depths of the depression
2
mathematics
a
: the perpendicular (see perpendicular entry 1 sense 1b) measurement downward from a surface
the depth of a swimming pool
b
: the direct linear measurement from front to back
the depth of a bookshelf
3
: the quality of being deep
the depth of the pass
4
: the degree of intensity
depth of a color
also : the quality of being profound (as in insight) or full (as of knowledge)
the depth of her experience
5
: the quality or state of being complete or thorough
used in the phrase in depth
a study will be made in depth
a subject being discussed in depth [=thoroughly, comprehensively]
compare in-depth
6
US, sports : the quality of having many good players
a team that lacks depth in the outfield
depthless adjective
Phrases
beyond one's depth or out of one's depth
: beyond the limits of one's capabilities
an actor who is out of his depth in serious drama

Examples of depth in a Sentence

These fish typically live at depths of 500 feet or more. Students will test the temperature of the water at different depths. The boat sank to a depth of several hundred feet. measuring the depth of the water the depth of a hole The pool has a depth of 12 feet. I began working at the factory during the depth of the Depression.
Recent Examples on the Web The illusion of depth is not immersive, but these prints are clearly layered. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 The South Central Los Angeles rapper with storied backgrounds as both a Crip and a golfer returned with a vengeance on Blue Lips, an exquisite display of his genre’s range and depths. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 Classic riffle water and choppy runs with medium speed and depth can both produce. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 14 Mar. 2024 As a result, the team’s shortstop depth was so thin at times that Betts started 12 games at the position himself. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The show is stuck with the worst of both worlds: its frequent silliness feels inappropriate, while its occasional grandstanding comes off as entirely out of its depth. Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Huge gaps remain in scientific knowledge of the ocean depths. Katie Hunt, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Crum, who played in three games as a freshman before being injured, was third on the depth chart. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 With depth and strength, British actress Lashana Lynch, who is of Jamaican descentbeautifully portrays the Marley matriarch, nailing her mannerisms as well. Melissa Noel, Essence, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'depth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from dep deep

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of depth was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near depth

Cite this Entry

“Depth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depth. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

depth

noun
1
a
: something that is deep : a deep place or part (as of a body of water)
b
: a part that is far from the outside or surface
the depths of the woods
c
: abyss
2
a
: the middle of a time
the depth of winter
b
: an extreme state (as of despair)
3
: distance from top to bottom or from front to back
4
: the quality of being deep
depth of understanding
5
: degree of intensity
the depth of a color
depthless adjective

Medical Definition

depth

noun
plural depths ˈdepth How to pronounce depth (audio) ˈdep(t)s How to pronounce depth (audio)
1
: the distance between upper and lower or between dorsal and ventral points of a body
2
: the quality of a state of consciousness, a bodily state, or a physiological function of being intense or complete
the depth of anesthesia
the depth of respiration

More from Merriam-Webster on depth

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