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depression

noun
de·​pres·​sion | \ di-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce depression (audio) , dē-\

Definition of depression

1 : an act of depressing or a state of being depressed: such as
a(1) : a state of feeling sad : dejection anger, anxiety, and depression
(2) : a mood disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies bouts of depression suffering from clinical 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 economics : a period of low general economic activity marked especially by rising levels of unemployment heading towards a depression periods of economic 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 4 sense 1b a tropical depression
5a astronomy : the angular distance of a celestial object below the horizon
b mathematics : the size of an angle of depression
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about depression

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Synonyms & Antonyms for depression

Synonyms

recession, slump

Antonyms

boom

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Last winter, Cobb, who has dealt with depression all his adult life, suffered a major depressive episode during a two-month-long solo trip through California and Utah. — Wired, "These Hallucinatory Landscape Photographs Will Blow Your Mind," 1 Sep. 2019 Older people are dying prematurely, their conditions worsened by isolation and depression, experts say. — Stephen Castle, New York Times, "Shortchanged: Why British Life Expectancy Is Falling," 30 Aug. 2019

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

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First Known Use of depression

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5a

History and Etymology for depression

see depress

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More Definitions for depression

depression

noun

Financial Definition of depression

What It Is

A depression is a sustained downturn in economic activity characterized by high unemployment, decreased output and reduced levels of trade.

How It Works

Low levels of consumer confidence during times of depression generally result in a severe drop in consumer demand and spending. This leads companies to cut costs by reducing their workforces, resulting in high unemployment and even lower consumer confidence and spending. Prices and wages spiral downward, causing more turmoil.

The Great Depression of the 1930s is the best example of the far-reaching economic and social impact a depression can have.

Why It Matters

A depression can have devastating social and economic effects. It is generally accepted that dramatic government intervention is required in order to move an economy from depression to recovery.

Source: Investing Answers

depression

noun
How to pronounce depression (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of depression

: a state of feeling sad
: a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way
: a period of time in which there is little economic activity and many people do not have jobs

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

depression

noun
de·​pres·​sion | \ di-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce depression (audio) \

Kids Definition of depression

1 : an act of pressing down depression of the brake pedal
2 : a hollow place or part My foot made a depression in the sand.
3 : a feeling of sadness Your support eased my depression.
4 : a period of low activity in business with much unemployment

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depression

noun
de·​pres·​sion | \ di-ˈpresh-ən How to pronounce depression (audio) \

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