depression

noun

de·​pres·​sion di-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce depression (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The drug is believed to create more connections between brain cells, a process thought to ease depression and decrease suicidal thoughts, according to Mayo Clinic. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025 The Pennsylvania Democrat was elected to his seat in November 2022, months after suffering a stroke, and later was checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment for depression in early 2023. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 24 May 2025 The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety lead to the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays each year, resulting in a global productivity loss of around US$1 trillion annually. Lisa Bodell, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 SSRIs are approved by the FDA to treat a range of conditions such as anxiety, depression, bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and are used off-label to treat several others. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for depression

Word History

Etymology

see depress

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of depression was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Depression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depression. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

depression

noun
de·​pres·​sion di-ˈpresh-ən How to pronounce depression (audio)
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 mood disorder marked by varying degrees of sadness, despair, and loneliness usually accompanied by social withdrawal, 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 How to pronounce depression (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on depression

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