depth

noun

plural depths ˈdepths How to pronounce depth (audio) ˈdep(t)s How to pronounce depth (audio)
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
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
depthless 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

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. See More
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 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from dep deep

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of depth was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near depth

Cite this Entry

“Depth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depth. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

depth

noun
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 adjective

Medical Definition

depth

noun
plural depths ˈdepth How to pronounce depth (audio) ˈdep(t)s How to pronounce depth (audio)
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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