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

Keep scrolling for more

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

While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of getting a massage, this form of self-care may be helpful for anxiety, depression, and headaches, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. — Jessica Leigh Mattern, Woman's Day, "30 Fun Things to Do By Yourself in Your Lifetime," 3 Jan. 2019 There could be depression or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in the child. — Betsy Morris, WSJ, "How Fortnite Triggered an Unwinnable War Between Parents and Their Boys," 21 Dec. 2018 There were correlations between the genetic risk for ADHD and a range of other conditions, including depression and anorexia. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "Large genetic study finds first genes connected with ADHD," 27 Nov. 2018 Maybe like a 13- or 14-year-old female who's presenting with depression or anxiety. — Kayleigh Roberts, Allure, "Why Women With ADHD Like Me Get Diagnosed So Late in Adulthood," 25 Oct. 2018 For those who have trouble sleeping due to seasonal depression (or who find the sound of their alarm in the morning to be the most brutal noise since nails on a chalkboard), there’s also the wake-up light. — Elizabeth Taufield, Vogue, "Seasonal Depression No More! Happy Lamps to Cure Your Blues," 8 Oct. 2018 Nightmares can sometimes be a symptom of a bigger issue—postpartum anxiety, depression or even PTSD from a traumatic birth event (which happens to about 9 percent of women). — Merritt Watts, Glamour, "New Mom Nightmares: The Common Postpartum Symptom Nobody Talks About," 13 Sep. 2018 Men come for depression or anxiety and at all ages, and many with career issues. — Erin Arvedlund, Philly.com, "Senior splitting from your spouse? 'Collaborative divorce' is a friendlier, cheaper way," 5 July 2018 Many who abuse drugs are self-medicating, Noplis said, due to trauma, depression or anxiety that needs to be treated. — Beth Warren, The Courier-Journal, "Tired of going to funerals, this doctor treats addiction with drugs," 21 June 2018

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

9 Jan 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for depression

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

See more words from the same century

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