depression

noun

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de·pres·sion | \ di-ˈpre-shən

, dē- \

plural depressions

Definition of depression

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 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 2 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 Phrases Containing depression Learn More About depression

Synonyms & Antonyms for depression

Synonyms

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 The National Hurricane Center continues to keep its eye on a system in the Gulf of Mexico with a very small chance to develop into tropical depression. — Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2022 The Texas coast should prepare for heavy rain this weekend regardless of whether the system becomes a depression, forecasters said. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2022 The disturbance had a low chance -- only 10 percent -- of becoming a tropical depression and was expected to head to the west over the next few days. — Leigh Morgan, al, 12 Aug. 2022 As Kamimura fell into a deep depression, he was forced to reevaluate his life. — Devorah Lev-tov, Robb Report, 25 July 2022 That year, the twin cyclones of perimenopause and the pandemic spun me into a depression that knocked me to my knees. — Mathangi Subramanian, Washington Post, 13 July 2022 In the years after she was released from prison, Ms. Tolokonnikova dealt with a severe depression and relied on art as a form of therapy. — New York Times, 30 June 2022 The tropical disturbance, officially called Invest 95L, could develop into a tropical depression before it is predicted to make landfall some time Friday, according to meteorologists with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. — Jay R. Jordan, Chron, 30 June 2022 Three tropical systems are churning in the Atlantic basin that could develop into a tropical storm or tropical depression over the next two days. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 29 June 2022 See More

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.

Learn More About depression

Dictionary Entries Near depression

depressing

depression

depressional

Statistics for depression

Last Updated

17 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Depression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depression. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for depression

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

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 : 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