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depression

[ dih-presh-uhn ]
/ dɪˈprɛʃ ən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR depression ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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Origin of depression

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Medieval Latin dēpressiōn- (stem of dēpressiō ), Late Latin: “a pressing down,” equivalent to Latin dēpress(us) + -iōn- noun suffix; see depress, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM depression

Words nearby depression

depressant, depressed, depressed area, depressed skull fracture, depressing, depression, Depression glass, Depression, Great, depressive, depressomotor, depressor
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Content related to depression

What Is The Difference Between A “Recession” vs. A “Depression”?Words like recession and depression come up regularly (in the news or our wallets). They can be confusing, so it helps to know the difference between them.
READ MORE

Words related to depression

distress, dreariness, downheartedness, dole, mortification, trouble, worry, unhappiness, desperation, dolefulness, bummer, dullness, desolation, melancholy, dejection, sorrow, despondency, hopelessness, qualm, discouragement

Example sentences from the Web for depression

British Dictionary definitions for depression (1 of 2)

depression
/ (dɪˈprɛʃən) /

noun

British Dictionary definitions for depression (2 of 2)

Depression
/ (dɪˈprɛʃən) /

noun

the Depression the worldwide economic depression of the early 1930s, when there was mass unemploymentAlso 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

Medical definitions for depression

depression
[ dĭ-prĕsh′ən ]

n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for depression

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

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.