depression

noun

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 4 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

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Synonyms & Antonyms for depression

Synonyms

recession, slump

Antonyms

boom

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

Still, experts note that medical records can be incomplete, and people don’t always seek treatment for disorders such as depression and drug use. — Sabine Galvis, Science | AAAS, "Even if you don’t play contact sports, you could develop signs of traumatic brain injury," 3 July 2019 Given the part of the skull that was affected, the shape of the depression and slanted direction of the blow, the researchers ruled out falling cave debris. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Paleolithic cold case file: Was this man murdered 33,000 years ago?," 3 July 2019 About 15 to 20 million people in the U.S. have depression and an estimated one-third don’t get better with medication, studies suggest. — Sumathi Reddy, WSJ, "New Thinking Challenges the Stigma Around ‘Shock Therapy’," 30 June 2019 But there's a dark side to all of that new opportunity: U.S. college students are experiencing emotionally and physically harmful levels of college depression and anxiety. — Jon Patrick Hatcher, Good Housekeeping, "College Depression and Anxiety Are Serious — Here's How to Help Yourself or a Friend," 26 June 2019 There’s some evidence that mental health problems, like depression and anxiety, are becoming more common among teenagers. — New York Times, "The ‘Euphoria’ Teenagers Are Wild. But Most Real Teenagers Are Tame.," 23 June 2019 Drew Dickson wrote about his son, Max, who had trouble working through depression and anxiety as a teenager, but found purpose after finding a stray dog in Costa Rica. — Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star, "How Colts cornerback Kenny Moore helped save a dog's life, and maybe a young man's," 18 June 2019 Charitable friends from England secured his release, but Brummell spent his final days in a state of severe depression and self-delusion. — Ignacio Peyró, National Geographic, "This 19th-century London dandy caused a style revolution," 18 June 2019 The therapist also leads complimentary monthly lunch-time sessions on a variety of topics, including anxiety, depression or grief and trauma. — Susan Glaser, cleveland.com, "Mental health day off? Company culture is changing: Top Workplaces 2019," 16 June 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near depression

Statistics for depression

Last Updated

10 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for depression

The first known use of depression was in the 14th century

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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

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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