depth
noun
\ ˈdepth
\
\
plural depths\ ˈdepths
, ˈdep(t)s
\
, ˈdep(t)s
\
Definition of depth
1a(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
a study will be made in depth
6
US, sports
: the quality of having many good players
a team that lacks depth in the outfield
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
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Other Words from depth
depthless
\ ˈdepth-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of depth in a Sentence
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
The decision to keep Suarez had a lot to do with working around the team’s scant pitching depth. — Los Angeles Times, "Rookie Jose Suarez to remain in Angels’ rotation despite recent struggles," 13 Aug. 2019 Does the Crimson Tide have the defensive depth to take it back to the College Football Playoff once again? — Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, "AL.com All-Access: Alabama’s high-powered offense might have to carry Tide this season, and it probably will," 13 Aug. 2019 The Cubs acquired Kemp from the Astros for backup catcher Martin Maldonado — before Willson Contreras’ untimely hamstring injury — to provide bench depth. — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Column: The Cubs’ chemistry experiment isn’t over. In fact, it’s really just beginning.," 12 Aug. 2019 This is not a particularly high-tech implementation; no fancy depth sensors or radars here. — Lauren Goode, WIRED, "Touchless Gesture Controls on Phones? Think Bigger," 12 Aug. 2019 But Weis, who feels more confident in the running backs right now than maybe any other position, thinks that the depth goes beyond just Emmons. — Christian Simmons, sun-sentinel.com, "After regressing last year, FAU offense looks to bounce back despite many questions remaining," 12 Aug. 2019 Beavers, the 49ers’ heaviest lineman at 324 pounds, later moved to guard and did little to alleviate concerns about the line’s depth. — Cam Inman, The Mercury News, "49ers vs. Cowboys: Three studs, three duds," 11 Aug. 2019 Later, Streever documents the progress leading to humans being able to work at depth for long periods, including within submarines. — Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, "New Streever book takes deep dives into the history, science and adventure of ocean exploration," 10 Aug. 2019 Western Pakistan lacked the strategic depth necessary to enable the main bases to be located out of the effective range of enemy bombers. — Raghvendra Singh, Quartz India, "What Britain gained by partitioning the subcontinent into India and Pakistan," 9 Aug. 2019These 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.
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More Definitions for depth
depth
noun
English Language Learners Definition of depth
: a distance below a surface
: the distance from the front of something to the back
: an area that exists far below a surface or far inside something : a deep place or area
See the full definition for depth in the English Language Learners Dictionary
depth
noun
\ ˈdepth
\
\
Kids Definition of depth
1
: measurement from top to bottom or from front to back
a cupboard's depth
2
: a place far below a surface or far inside something (as a sea or a forest)
Some unusual fish live at great depths.
3
: the middle of time
the depth of winter
4
: intensity sense 2
a depth of color No one can imagine the … depth of our emotion …— E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan
5
: abundance, completeness
The speaker displayed a depth of knowledge.