depth

noun

ˈdepth 

plural depths ˈdepths  ˈdep(t)s 

1

a(1)

: a deep place in a body of water

fish living at great depths

(2)

: a part that is far from the outside or surface

the depths of the woods

(3)

: abyss sense 1

b(1)

: a profound or intense state (as of thought or feeling)

the depths of sorrow

also : a reprehensibly low condition

hadn't realized that standards had fallen to such depths

(2)

: the middle of a time (such as a season)

the depths of winter

(3)

: the worst part

the depths of the depression

2

mathematics

a

: the perpendicular (see perpendicular entry 1 sense 1b) measurement downward from a surface

the depth of a swimming pool

b

: the direct linear measurement from front to back

the depth of a bookshelf

3

: the quality of being deep

the depth of the pass

4

: the degree of intensity

depth of a color

also : the quality of being profound (as in insight) or full (as of knowledge)

the depth of her experience

5

: the quality or state of being complete or thorough

—used in the phrase in depth

a study will be made in depth

a subject being discussed in depth [=thoroughly, comprehensively]

compare in-depth

6

US, sports : the quality of having many good players

a team that lacks depth in the outfield

depthless

ˈdepth-ləs 

adjective

Phrases

beyond one's depth or out of one's depth

: beyond the limits of one's capabilities

an actor who is out of his depth in serious drama

Synonyms

• deepness
• drop

Examples of depth in a Sentence

These fish typically live at depths of 500 feet or more.

Students will test the temperature of the water at different depths.

The boat sank to a depth of several hundred feet.

measuring the depth of the water

the depth of a hole

The pool has a depth of 12 feet.

I began working at the factory during the depth of the Depression.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Former Alabama standout Najee Harris remains the top ball carrier on the depth chart. —Chantz Martin, Fox News, 23 Sep. 2023

With the ability to edd an extra two inches in depth, the expandable gusset provides enough space to pack enough clothes for an overnight trip or short weekend getaway. —Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2023

The smaller teams in that form of rugby game — seven players per side rather than 15 — can help negate the advantage larger nations have in squad depth. —Victor Mather, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023

When Cleveland drafted Ford, its running-back depth chart included Chubb, coming off three consecutive Pro Bowl selections; former NFL rushing leader Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson, who had 245 rushing yards in two emergency starts in 2021. —Mark Inabinett | [e-mail], al, 18 Sep. 2023

Fill a small saucepan with tap water to a depth of 2 inches. —Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023

The team obtained goalie depth with Swedish national goalie Emma Söderberg in round 10, with forwards Shiann Darkangelo and Tatum Skaggs and defensemen Emma Buckles (formerly of Harvard) and Jess Healey rounding out their draft. —Kat Cornetta, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023

Harris, in his work, likes to explain drastic external action by way of uncomfortable, abject, and often lewd interior depths. —Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023

Belichick said Friday morning the team planned to finalize their quarterback depth chart later that day. —Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from dep deep

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing depth

• depth psychology
• depth perception
• depth of field
• depth charge
• the depth of winter
• in-depth
• beyond one's depth
• out of one's depth

• depth psychology
• depth perception
• depth of field
• depth charge
• the depth of winter
• in-depth
• beyond one's depth
• out of one's depth

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Kids Definition

depth

noun

ˈdepth 

1

a

: something that is deep : a deep place or part (as of a body of water)

b

: a part that is far from the outside or surface

the depths of the woods

c

: abyss

2

a

: the middle of a time

the depth of winter

b

: an extreme state (as of despair)

3

: distance from top to bottom or from front to back

4

: the quality of being deep

depth of understanding

5

: degree of intensity

the depth of a color

depthless

-ləs 

adjective

Medical Definition

depth

noun

ˈdepth 

plural depths ˈdepth  ˈdep(t)s 

1

: the distance between upper and lower or between dorsal and ventral points of a body

2

: the quality of a state of consciousness, a bodily state, or a physiological function of being intense or complete

the depth of anesthesia

the depth of respiration