clinical depression

noun

: a serious mood disorder involving one or more episodes of intense psychological depression or loss of interest or pleasure that lasts two or more weeks and is accompanied by irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, weight gain or loss, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and sometimes suicidal tendencies : major depression, major depressive disorder

Mild depression is a normal condition, a sadness brought on by life's circumstances. Clinical depression, on the other hand, is a sadness so deep that it can lead to suicide if left untreated.

—Brenda Lane Richardson

Examples of clinical depression in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The most talented generation in decades is here to help an entire nation invent brand new, scientifically advanced ways to experience deep clinical depression. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 11 June 2026

The 2001 Paul was in clinical depression, scored 50 on a depression inventory and was unable to leave a hotel room for days. —Paul Baier, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Harrison Ford is opening up about his past struggles with clinical depression. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026

While feeling sad after a disappointment or a loss is a normal part of being human, clinical depression, formally known as major depressive disorder, is a medical condition. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clinical depression

• immunosuppression
• myelosuppression
• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession

Medical Definition

clinical depression

noun

: a serious mood disorder involving one or more episodes of intense psychological depression or loss of interest or pleasure that lasts two or more weeks and is accompanied by irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, weight gain or loss, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and sometimes suicidal tendencies : major depression, major depressive disorder

Cases of clinical depression present doctors with a nasty diagnostic challenge: The malady, which strikes about 10% of the population, comes in myriad forms, each requiring different treatments.

—Science