antidepressant

American  

[an-tee-di-pres-uhnt, an-tahy-] / ˌæn ti dɪˈprɛs ənt, ˌæn taɪ- /

Also anti-depressant,

adjective

1. of or relating to a substance that is used in the treatment of mood disorders, as characterized by various manic or depressive affects.

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noun

1. Also called energizer, psychic energizer.  any such substance, as a tricyclic antidepressant, MAO inhibitor, or lithium.

antidepressant British  

/ ˌæntɪdɪˈprɛsənt /

noun

1. any of a class of drugs used to alleviate depression

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adjective

1. of or relating to this class of drugs

antidepressant Scientific  

/ ăn′tē-dĭ-prĕs′ənt,ăn′tī- /

1. A drug used to prevent or treat depression.

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Etymology

Origin of antidepressant

First recorded in 1960–65; anti- + depressant

Example Sentences

Sutherland said patients at his surgery were never prescribed antidepressants in isolation and were referred to support services while they waited to see specialists.

From BBC

These results build on earlier work showing that children of mothers who took antidepressants during pregnancy were more likely to be diagnosed with functional constipation.

From Science Daily

He points to one study showing that hot-yoga classes can curtail depression more effectively than antidepressant drugs.

From The Wall Street Journal

These observations provide direct human evidence that supports mechanisms previously identified in animal studies and connects them to real clinical antidepressant effects.

From Science Daily

Her stories have explored everything from the science of sleep to the hunt for faster-acting antidepressants.

From The Wall Street Journal