depression
noun
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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for depression
Synonyms
blue devils, blues, dejection, desolation, despond, despondence, despondency, disconsolateness, dispiritedness, doldrums, dolefulness, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, forlornness, gloom, gloominess, glumness, heartsickness, joylessness, melancholy, miserableness, mopes, mournfulness, oppression, sadness, sorrowfulness, unhappiness
Antonyms
bliss, blissfulness, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, exultation, felicity, gladness, gladsomeness, happiness, heaven, intoxication, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, rapture, rapturousness
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Examples of depression in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
College students in general are reporting more depression and anxiety than ever. — Rachel Bachman, WSJ, "College Sports’ Newest Need: Psychologists," 8 Nov. 2018 A day after the shooting, Hussain's parents issued a statement outlining their son's battle with depression and psychosis. — Fox News, "Police papers say Toronto shooter 'emotionally disturbed'," 20 Sep. 2018 Male survivors face increased risk of suicide, depression and mental illness, and addiction, but with proper support, healing is possible for survivors. — Joanna Schroeder, Vox, "The alleged encounter between Asia Argento and Jimmy Bennett is an example.," 23 Aug. 2018 These failures are part of a broader collapse of Venezuela’s health system, caused by the socialist regime’s ruinous policies, which have led to shortages, economic depression and hyperinflation. — The Economist, "[CORRECTED] Polio returns to Venezuela, and threatens the region," 16 June 2018 Over 90% of youth who die by suicide suffer from depression or another diagnosable and treatable mental illness at the time of their death. — Brooke Bunce, Teen Vogue, "New York and Virginia to Require Mental Health Education," 3 July 2018 Some, perhaps many, individuals with opioid use disorder have other physical, psychological, and social issues — depression, anxiety, other substance use disorders, social isolation, unemployment, and the like — that complicate treatment. — Patrick Skerrett, STAT, "Hey, doctors: Why aren’t you stepping up to treat people with opioid addiction?," 5 July 2018 Spanking can lead to greater rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse, and to a cycle of more abuse throughout generations of families. — Meghan Leahy, chicagotribune.com, "I don't want to spank my sassy 4-year-old. What should I do instead?," 5 July 2018 Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for DID, although medication may alleviate symptoms (depression, anxiety, etc.). — Philip Chard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Emotional trauma can lead to dissociative identity disorder," 3 July 2018These 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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Learn More about depression
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
It's Not Just You, Charlie Brown
It's Not Just You, Charlie Brown
Lucy's suggested diagnoses, explained
Dictionary Entries near depression
Statistics for depression
Last Updated
13 Nov 2018
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for depression
The first known use of depression was in the 14th century
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More Definitions for depression
depression
nounFinancial 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
\
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
\
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
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