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

Example Sentences

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

There are also direct references to several other Brooks movies and beloved gags, while the 96-year-old American treasure — his words, but accurate — narrates, though with increasingly less depth as the series progresses. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2023

Squad management will be of massive importance for a team that begins the season with little depth. —Staff Writer Follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2023

In order to shake things up, Burke coach Sean Ryan went to a man-to-man defense, a rare move from a team with limited depth that typically plays zone. —Nate Weitzer, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2023

Shoppers in countries such as China, the UAE, and India, for example, are voracious consumers of luxury products online; yet the UAE and China are the only two with any depth of in-country luxury brand representation. —Patrick Bousquet-chavanne, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023

The Knights have always won with depth and defense. —Tanner Mcgrath, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2023

The Astros' staff is anchored by Cy Young candidates Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier, with significant depth behind the duo including top prospect Hunter Brown. —Michael Shapiro, Chron, 16 Feb. 2023

OrthoFeet Milanos feature a wide toe box with extra depth to allow space for bunions. —Sarah Edlin, Health, 14 Feb. 2023

These wireless headphones clearly distinguish between vocals, highs, and lows, with pleasant bass depth. —Dan Roe, Popular Mechanics, 14 Feb. 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

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

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

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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