depth

noun

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\ ˈdepth

plural depths\ ˈdepths

, ˈdep(t)s

Definition of depth

1a(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 deptha 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

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

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web Thompson was almost a depth chart afterthought until lighting up Colorado for four touchdown passes in the second half of the Alamo Bowl. — Chuck Carlton, Dallas News, "Casey Thompson or Hudson Card? Don’t expect Steve Sarkisian to name Texas’ new starting QB anytime soon," 13 Apr. 2021 From the glimpses of practice available to reporters this spring, those stripe removals jive with which players are making plays and creeping up the depth chart. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, "Ohio State football’s Emeka Egbuka, Reid Carrico latest freshmen to lose black stripes," 13 Apr. 2021 After each week of spring the Oregonian/OregonLive will project the team’s depth chart. — oregonlive, "Projected Oregon Ducks depth chart entering second full week of spring practice," 13 Apr. 2021 But the Trojans still have Pola-Mao, who was already the linchpin of the secondary even before injuries swept through the depth chart. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, "Isaiah Pola-Mao turns a temporary corner to help USC’s defense," 10 Apr. 2021 As far as the top spot is concerned, McCullough isn’t in a hurry to put someone atop the depth chart. — Jon Blau, The Indianapolis Star, "Deland McCullough takes command of IU’S running back room again," 9 Apr. 2021 The top of the University of Utah’s depth chart at linebacker is pretty well set. — Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah football returns Devin Lloyd, Nephi Sewell, but linebacker position could get even better once Ethan Calvert arrives," 9 Apr. 2021 But as Fletcher began to struggle and second option Zachary Clement suffered a shoulder injury, Rivers ascended the depth chart. — Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, "Former UTSA, Stevens QB Bryce Rivers returns to San Antonio as Northwestern State faces UIW," 8 Apr. 2021 Their only moves so far were to bring back the same quarterback depth chart that produced last year’s 7-9 record: Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham. — BostonGlobe.com, "What if the Patriots don’t draft a QB? Here are other options for them at No. 15," 8 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'depth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

16 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Depth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depth. Accessed 23 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for depth

depth

noun

English Language Learners Definition of depth

: a distance below a surface

: the distance from the front of something to the back

: an area that exists far below a surface or far inside something : a deep place or area

See the full definition for depth in the English Language Learners Dictionary

depth

noun

\ ˈdepth

Kids Definition of depth

1 : measurement from top to bottom or from front to back a cupboard's depth

2 : a place far below a surface or far inside something (as a sea or a forest) Some unusual fish live at great depths.

3 : the middle of time the depth of winter

4 : intensity sense 2 a depth of color No one can imagine the … depth of our emotion …— E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan

5 : abundance, completeness The speaker displayed a depth of knowledge.

depth

noun

\ ˈdepth

plural depths\ ˈdepth

, ˈdep(t)s

Medical Definition of depth

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

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