major depressive disorder

American

[may-jer-di-pres-iv-dis-awr-der] / ˈmeɪ dʒər dɪˈprɛs ɪv dɪsˈɔr dər /

noun

Psychiatry. an affective disorder characterized by a sustained period of low mood, diminished self-esteem, and reduced interest in normally enjoyable activities.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The biopharmaceutical company’s drug, BHV-7000, failed to meet its primary endpoint for the treatment of major depressive disorder in a phase 2 trial, the company said on Wednesday.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

Of these participants, 259 had schizophrenia and 177 had affective disorders that included bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder with psychosis.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025

Antidepressants are typically prescribed for people with major depressive disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

Another study of adolescents ages 12 to 17 who participated in the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 20% of them had experienced major depressive disorder in the past year.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2024

At one point, Crooks searched "major depressive disorder" on one of his cellphones.

From Salon • Jul. 18, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023