depression

noun

de·​pres·​sion di-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce depression (audio)
dē-
plural depressions
1
: an act of depressing or a state of being depressed: such as
a
: a state of feeling sad : low spirits : melancholy
specifically : a mood disorder that is marked by varying degrees of sadness, despair, and loneliness and that is typically accompanied by inactivity, guilt, loss of concentration, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and sometimes suicidal tendencies see also clinical depression, major depression, postpartum depression
b(1)
: a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force
a depression in trade
(2)
biology : a lowering of physical or mental vitality or of functional activity
c
: a pressing down : lowering
a depression of the tab key
2
a
economics : a long-lasting period of greatly reduced general economic activity marked especially by widespread unemployment and declines in trade and production and often by deflation
a country heading towards a depression
periods of economic depression
compare recession entry 1 sense 2
b
the Depression : great depression
3
: a place or part that is lower than the surrounding area : a depressed place or part : hollow
The chicken pox left several depressions in her skin.
4
meteorology : low entry 2 sense 1b
a tropical depression
5
a
astronomy : the angular distance of a celestial object below the horizon
b
mathematics : the size of an angle of depression

Examples of depression in a Sentence

She has been undergoing treatment for severe depression. Many people suffer from clinical depression for years before being diagnosed. After several years of an economic boom, it looks as though we may be heading toward a depression. The photographs show depressions in the moon's surface.
Recent Examples on the Web Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, anxiety and depression have sky-rocketed among members of this community — one of several semi-nomadic herder communities that tend to live off the land — especially the children. D. Parvaz, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 The effects of the illness and the treatment, coupled with psychological responses such as anxiety or depression and spiritual reactions such as hopelessness, may result in diminished enthusiasm for food and/or a lack of energy to prepare and eat it. Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2024 And dysfunction in the default mode network was floated as a potential feature of nearly every psychiatric and neurological disorder, including depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Nora Bradford, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2024 The Fingerprint results are demonstrating a 65% success rate for depression, 47% for loneliness and 43% for insomnia. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024 Pointing to rising rates of teen suicide and depression, Renner said keeping kids off social media was imperative, often comparing it to fentanyl and other deadly drugs. Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 Related article How to help Texas wildfire victims Other research has found higher risks of anxiety and depression in people exposed to higher concentrations of particle pollution or soot, and wildfires produce significant amounts of soot. Jen Christensen, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 According to the Census Bureau’s January 2024 survey, the percentage of people experiencing anxiety or depression remains double that of pre-pandemic levels. USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 In severe depression and anxiety, there is often a cycle of ruminating negative thoughts. Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'depression.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see depress

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5a

Time Traveler
The first known use of depression was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near depression

Cite this Entry

“Depression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depression. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

depression

noun
de·​pres·​sion di-ˈpresh-ən How to pronounce depression (audio)
1
: an act of depressing : a state of being depressed: as
a
: a pressing down : lowering
b
: a state of feeling sad : dejection
also : a mental disorder marked by sadness, inactivity, and loss of a sense of one's own worth
c
: a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force
2
: a depressed place or part : hollow
a depression in the road
3
: a period of low general economic activity with widespread unemployment

Medical Definition

depression

noun
de·​pres·​sion di-ˈpresh-ən How to pronounce depression (audio)
1
: a displacement downward or inward
depression of the jaw
2
: an act of depressing or a state of being depressed: as
a
: a state of feeling sad : low spirits : melancholy
specifically : a mood disorder marked by varying degrees of sadness, despair, and loneliness that is typically accompanied by inactivity, guilt, loss of concentration, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and sometimes suicidal tendencies see also clinical depression, major depression, postpartum depression
b
: a reduction in functional activity, amount, quality, or force
depression of autonomic function
depression of red blood cells

More from Merriam-Webster on depression

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