clinical depression

American  

noun

1. Psychiatry. a depression so severe as to be considered abnormal, either because of no obvious environmental causes, or because the reaction to unfortunate life circumstances is more intense or prolonged than would generally be expected.

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Example Sentences

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman’s hospitalization for clinical depression in 2023 was disclosed relatively early and covered extensively, with a focus on transparency and recovery.

From Salon • Jul. 2, 2026

The goal is to determine whether these attention patterns contribute to a higher likelihood of developing clinical depression later in life.

From Science Daily • Jun. 17, 2026

Sapna told BBC Scotland News her husband suffered from severe clinical depression as a result of being labelled a murder suspect.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Los Angeles and Tucson, Ariz. Despite many close friendships, especially with women, he was at heart a loner, conditioned, possibly, by clinical depression, for which he sought electroshock therapy even though it addled his brain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Nancy began to think that he was in a clinical depression.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston