# Depression

/dɪˈpɹɛʃən/ (US) · /dɪpɹˈɛʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/depression
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. the economy

noun · CEFR B2

a long and difficult time when a country has very little business activity and many people lose their jobs.

For teachers: a sustained, long-term downturn in economic activity in one or more economies; more severe than a recession.

- During the great economic depression of the 1930s, many families struggled to buy food.
- Economists still debate whether the current fiscal crisis will stabilise or descend into a full-scale depression similar to that of the previous century.

### 4. weather

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

an area of low air pressure that often brings clouds and rain.

For teachers: an atmospheric region of relatively low pressure, typically associated with unsettled weather and precipitation.

- The weather forecast said a deep depression was moving in from the Atlantic.
- As the tropical depression intensified over the warm ocean waters, meteorologists upgraded the warning to a hurricane watch.

### 5. pressing down

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the act of pushing something down.

For teachers: the physical act of pressing a part or lever downwards.

- The depression of the key on the piano produces a clear, ringing note.
- The rapid depression of the brake pedal caused the vehicle to skid on the icy surface.

## Examples

- He takes medication and talks to a therapist to manage his depression.
- After losing her job, she fell into a deep depression and struggled to get out of bed most mornings.
- The sudden financial collapse triggered a severe economic depression, leaving millions unemployed and fundamentally altering the political landscape for a generation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.