depression definition | Dictionary.com

de⋅pres⋅sion

[di-presh-uh

–noun

1.	the act of depressing.

2.	the state of being depressed.

3.	a depressed or sunken place or part; an area lower than the surrounding surface.

4.	sadness; gloom; dejection.

5.	Psychiatry. a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason. Compare clinical depression.

6.	dullness or inactivity, as of trade.

7.	Economics. a period during which business, employment, and stock-market values decline severely or remain at a very low level of activity.

8.	the Depression. Great Depression.

9.	Pathology. a low state of vital powers or functional activity.

10.	Astronomy. the angular distance of a celestial body below the horizon; negative altitude.

11.	Surveying. the angle between the line from an observer or instrument to an object below either of them and a horizontal line.

12.	Physical Geography. an area completely or mostly surrounded by higher land, ordinarily having interior drainage and not conforming to the valley of a single stream.

13.	Meteorology. an area of low atmospheric pressure.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME (< AF) < ML dēpressiōn- (s. of dēpressiō), LL: a pressing down, equiv. to L dēpress(us) (see depress ) + -iōn- -ion

Synonyms:
4. discouragement, despondency.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

Link To depression

Major Depression Symptoms
Find Out About a Treatment Plan To Help Manage Depression Symptoms.
www.MoreForDepression.com

Depression
Learn About the Causes, Symptoms And a Proven Treatment Option.

KnowMyDepression.com

de·pres·sion (dĭ-prěsh'ən)

1. The act of depressing.
2. The condition of being depressed.
3. A reduction in activity or force.
4. A reduction in physiological vigor or activity: a depression in respiration.
5. A lowering in amount, degree, or position.
6. A period of drastic decline in a national or international economy, characterized by decreasing business activity, falling prices, and unemployment.
7. Depression The worldwide economic depression from the late 1920s through the 1930s. In the United States, it began with the stock market crash in October, 1929.
An area that is sunk below its surroundings; a hollow.
The condition of feeling sad or despondent.
Psychology A psychiatric disorder characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, loss of appetite, anhedonia, feelings of extreme sadness, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness, and thoughts of death. Also called clinical depression.
1. A reduction in activity or force.
2. A reduction in physiological vigor or activity: a depression in respiration.
3. A lowering in amount, degree, or position.
4. A period of drastic decline in a national or international economy, characterized by decreasing business activity, falling prices, and unemployment.
5. Depression The worldwide economic depression from the late 1920s through the 1930s. In the United States, it began with the stock market crash in October, 1929.
Economics
1. A period of drastic decline in a national or international economy, characterized by decreasing business activity, falling prices, and unemployment.
2. Depression The worldwide economic depression from the late 1920s through the 1930s. In the United States, it began with the stock market crash in October, 1929.
Meteorology A region of low barometric pressure.
The angular distance below the horizontal plane through the point of observation.
Astronomy The angular distance of a celestial body below the horizon.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Depression

De*pres"sion\, n. [L. depressio: cf. F. d['e]pression.]

1. The act of depressing.

2. The state of being depressed; a sinking.

3. A falling in of the surface; a sinking below its true place; a cavity or hollow; as, roughness consists in little protuberances and depressions.

4. Humiliation; abasement, as of pride.

5. Dejection; despondency; lowness.

In a great depression of spirit. --Baker.

6. Diminution, as of trade, etc.; inactivity; dullness.

7. (Astron.) The angular distance of a celestial object below the horizon.

8. (Math.) The operation of reducing to a lower degree; -- said of equations.

9. (Surg.) A method of operating for cataract; couching. See Couch, v. t., 8.

Angle of depression (Geod.), one which a descending line makes with a horizontal plane.

Depression of the dewpoint (Meteor.), the number of degrees that the dew-point is lower than the actual temperature of the atmosphere.

Depression of the pole, its apparent sinking, as the spectator goes toward the equator.

Depression of the visible horizon. (Astron.) Same as Dip of the horizon, under Dip.

Syn: Abasement; reduction; sinking; fall; humiliation; dejection; melancholy.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

Language Translation for : depression

Spanish: depresión,

German: die Depression,

Japanese: 憂うつ

More Translations »

depression

A period of drastic decline in the national economy, characterized by decreasing business activity, falling prices, and unemployment. The best known of such periods is the Great Depression, which occurred in the 1930s.

Depression

A severe and prolonged recession characterized by inefficient economic productivity, high unemployment, and falling price levels.

Investopedia Commentary

In times of depression, consumer's confidence and investments decrease, causing the economy to shutdown. The classical example of this occurred in the 1930s the Great Depression affected the global economy.

Main Entry: de·pres·sion
Pronunciation: di-'presh-&n
Function: noun
1 : a displacement downward or inward <depression ofthe jaw>
2 : an act of depressing or a state of being depressed: as a (1) : a state of feeling sad (2) : a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder markedespecially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, andsometimes suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide b : a reduction in functional activity, amount, quality, or force <depression of autonomic function><depression of red blood cells and platelets>

depression de·pres·sion (dĭ-prěsh'ən)
n.

The act of depressing or the state of being depressed.
A reduction in physiological vigor or activity.
A lowering in amount, degree, or position.
An inward displacement of a body part.
A hollow or sunken area.
The condition of feeling sad or despondent.
A psychotic or neurotic condition characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, and feelings of extreme sadness, dejection, and hopelessness.

depression (dĭ-prěsh'ən) Pronunciation Key

A geographic area, such as a sinkhole or basin, that is lower than its surroundings.
A mood disorder characterized by an inability to experience pleasure, difficulty in concentrating, disturbance of sleep and appetite, and feelings of sadness, guilt, and helplessness.
A reduction in the activity of a physiological process, such as respiration.
A region of low atmospheric pressure. Low pressure systems result in precipitation, ranging from mild to severe in intensity. See also cyclone.

Search another word or see depression on Thesaurus | Reference

Depression
Get Depression Info for Men, Women, Family, Friends & Older Adults.
www.Help-Treat-Depression.com

What Is The Depression
Depression affects millions of people. Do you know all the signs?
Healthline.com

Anxiety/Stress Therapist
Help for Anxiety, Stress & More. Specializing in Woman & Worry.

www.EncinoWomensCounseling.com

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Advertise with Us · Link to Us · NASCAR® · Contact Us