depression
the act of depressing.
the state of being depressed.
a depressed or sunken place or part; an area lower than the surrounding surface.
Psychiatry. a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason.: Compare clinical depression.
dullness or inactivity, as of trade.
Economics. a period during which business, employment, and stock-market values decline severely or remain at a very low level of activity.
the Depression. Great Depression.
Pathology. a low state of vital powers or functional activity.
Astronomy. the angular distance of a celestial body below the horizon; negative altitude.
Surveying. angle of depression.
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.
Meteorology. an area of low atmospheric pressure.
Origin of depression
1Other words for depression
Other words from depression
- an·ti·de·pres·sion, adjective, noun
- min·i·de·pres·sion, noun
- non·de·pres·sion, noun
- post·de·pres·sion, adjective
- pre·de·pres·sion, noun, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use depression in a sentence
We have defeated kings, tyrants, foes, great depressions, and divisions.
Why Do Black and White Americans See the Zimmerman Verdict So Differently? | Sophia A. Nelson | July 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen not treated properly, bank runs and financial panics often lead to depressions.
Cyprus’s Emotionally Satisfying, But Likely Ineffective ‘Bail-in’ | Daniel Gross | March 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTA cap on spending, especially one at 18 percent, also means recessions will be turning into depressions.
A Balanced Budget Amendment: Great Politics, Terrible Policy | Justin Green | February 11, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTWhere this work goes on on a large scale, basin-shaped depressions are inevitably formed.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate ShalerThe party verify the depressions conscientiously, and click their tongues to express indulgent contempt.
Where there were humps he cut fairly deep, and where there were depressions he skimmed lightly.
The Red Cow and Her Friends | Peter McArthurBut the merman pulled free of Dalgard and went down on the floor to dig with his taloned fingers at some depressions there.
Star Born | Andre NortonA strip of galvanized metal is placed over the depressions in the die and a ball-peen hammer used to drive the metal into the die.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2 | Various
British Dictionary definitions for depression (1 of 2)
/ (dɪˈprɛʃən) /
the act of depressing or state of being depressed
a depressed or sunken place or area
a mental disorder characterized by extreme gloom, feelings of inadequacy, and inability to concentrate
pathol an abnormal lowering of the rate of any physiological activity or function, such as respiration
an economic condition characterized by substantial and protracted unemployment, low output and investment, etc; slump
Also called: cyclone, low meteorol a large body of rotating and rising air below normal atmospheric pressure, which often brings rain
(esp in surveying and astronomy) the angular distance of an object, celestial body, etc, below the horizontal plane through the point of observation: Compare elevation (def. 11)
British Dictionary definitions for Depression (2 of 2)
/ (dɪˈprɛʃən) /
the Depression the worldwide economic depression of the early 1930s, when there was mass unemployment: Also known as: the Great Depression, the Slump
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for depression
[ dĭ-prĕsh′ən ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for 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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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