depression

de·pres·sion | \ di-ˈpre-shən

, dē- \

Definition of depression

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

a(1) : a state of feeling sad : dejection anger, anxiety, and depression

(2) : a mood disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies bouts of depression suffering from clinical 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 economics : a period of low general economic activity marked especially by rising levels of unemployment heading towards a depression periods of economic 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

5a astronomy : the angular distance of a celestial object below the horizon

b mathematics : the size of an angle of depression

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about depression

Keep scrolling for more

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 The depression, a hybrid system that wasn’t fully tropical, was forecast to move into colder water and weaken by Wednesday. — Leigh Morgan, al, "Subtropical depression in Atlantic may not get a name after all," 23 June 2020 Johns told The Athletic that part of his journey back to the ice included severe bouts with depression, which included sitting in his bed and composing suicide notes in his head. — Scott Bell, Dallas News, "Stephen Johns details his 22-month absence from the NHL, which included battles with depression and suicidal thoughts," 23 June 2020 Anxiety, depression, stress reactions, and suicide are all associated with overwhelming emotional challenges and life upheaval. — Alvin Thomas, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Opinion: Black men and boys are especially vulnerable to mental health challenges because of coronavirus and police violence," 18 June 2020 Buying stocks would be a significant escalation in the Fed's mission to avoid a depression -- one that would face legal obstacles. — Matt Egan, CNN, "Star investor: Markets may crash so badly the Fed has to start buying stocks," 16 June 2020 The remnants of what was Tropical Storm Cristobal, now downgraded to a tropical depression, will merge with another weather system to become a powerhouse storm over the Great Lakes on Wednesday, forecasters said. — Editors, USA TODAY, "George Floyd's brother testifies before Congress, Mall of America reopens, Federal Reserve meeting: 5 things to know Wednesday," 10 June 2020 Our issues with depression, suicide, and substance abuse materialized during our time in law school, at Duke and NYU; Kaizen’s did on the streets of Newark. — Michelle Weber, Longreads, "The PTSD of Everyday Life," 10 June 2020 After weakening to a tropical depression while moving over land in Mexico's Gulf coast, Cristobal headed back into the southern Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan Peninsula on Friday and powered back up into a tropical storm. — NBC News, "Tropical Storm Cristobal advances toward Gulf Coast," 6 June 2020 After weakening to a tropical depression, Cristobal headed back into the southern Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan Peninsula on Friday and re-energized into a tropical storm. — Alison Medley, Houston Chronicle, "Tropical Storm Cristobal expected to strengthen as it heads for Gulf Coast," 6 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'depression.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about depression

Dictionary Entries near depression

Statistics for depression

Last Updated

29 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Depression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depression. Accessed 3 Jul. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for depression

depression

noun

Financial Definition of depression

What It Is

A depression is a sustained downturn in economic activity characterized by high unemployment, decreased output and reduced levels of trade.

How It Works

Low levels of consumer confidence during times of depression generally result in a severe drop in consumer demand and spending. This leads companies to cut costs by reducing their workforces, resulting in high unemployment and even lower consumer confidence and spending. Prices and wages spiral downward, causing more turmoil.

The Great Depression of the 1930s is the best example of the far-reaching economic and social impact a depression can have.

Why It Matters

A depression can have devastating social and economic effects. It is generally accepted that dramatic government intervention is required in order to move an economy from depression to recovery.

Source: Investing Answers

depression

noun

English Language Learners Definition of depression

: a state of feeling sad

: a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way

: a period of time in which there is little economic activity and many people do not have jobs

See the full definition for depression in the English Language Learners Dictionary

depression

noun

de·pres·sion | \ di-ˈpre-shən

Kids Definition of depression

1 : an act of pressing down depression of the brake pedal

2 : a hollow place or part My foot made a depression in the sand.

3 : a feeling of sadness Your support eased my depression.

4 : a period of low activity in business with much unemployment

Keep scrolling for more

depression

noun

de·pres·sion | \ di-ˈpresh-ən

Medical Definition of depression

1 : a displacement downward or inward depression of the jaw

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

a(1) : a state of feeling sad

(2) : a mood disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide

b : a reduction in functional activity, amount, quality, or force depression of autonomic function depression of red blood cells

Keep scrolling for more