1. A mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
   "She sought treatment for her depression after months of feeling hopeless"
    
2. A state of depression and anhedonia so severe as to require clinical intervention
   "She sought treatment for clinical depression after struggling with persistent feelings of hopelessness";
   - depressive disorder, clinical depression
    
3. Sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
   "His depression deepened as winter approached"
    
4. A long-term economic state characterized by unemployment and low prices and low levels of trade and investment
   "The country struggled to recover from the depression";
   - slump, economic crisis
    
5. A sunken or depressed geological formation
   "The valley was a natural depression formed by glacial activity";
   - natural depression
    
6. A concavity in a surface produced by pressing
   "he left the depression of his fingers in the soft mud";
   - impression, imprint
    
7. An air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation
   "a depression moved in over night bringing sleet and snow";
   - low
    
8. Angular distance below the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
   "The captain measured the depression of the star to determine their position"
    
9. Pushing down
   "depression of the space bar on the typewriter"

1. A period during the 1930s when there was a worldwide economic depression and mass unemployment
   - Great Depression

Derived forms: depressions

Type of: affective disorder, age, air mass, angular position, concave shape, concavity, crisis, economic condition, emotional disorder, emotional disturbance, formation, geological formation, historic period, incurvation, incurvature, major affective disorder, mental condition, mental state, psychological condition, psychological state, push, pushing, sadness, unhappiness

Antonym: elation, elevation

Part of: cyclone

Encyclopedia: Depression, postpartum