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

Families who lose a loved one are prone to mental health deficits such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety, compounded by feelings of guilt, self-blame, shame, and condemnation, often resulting in social isolation. —William Mullane, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

This number will go up, more children will struggle—depression, hunger and more parts of their lives will spiral out of control. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025

According to the American Psychological Association, climate anxiety can lead to feelings of helplessness and depression. —Brooke Kasl-Godley, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025

Dramatic shifts in mood from extreme highs (mania/hypomania) to lows (depression) characterize bipolar disorder. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see depress

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing depression

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

Rhymes for depression

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression
• possession

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 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 

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