depression Definition

1. psychol.
A mental state, either organic or circumstantial, characterized by prolonged and disproportionate feelings of sadness, pessimism, helplessness, apathy, low self-esteem and despair.
Thesaurus: despondency, melancholy, hopelessness, low spirits, dejection, despair, gloominess, dumps, doldrums, blues; Antonym: cheerfulness.
2. A period of low business and industrial activity accompanied by a rise in unemployment.

Thesaurus: recession, hard times, downturn, stagflation, slump; Antonym: prosperity, boom.
3. The period of worldwide economic depression from 1929 to 1934.

Form: the Depression
4. meteorol.
A cyclone.
5. A hollow, especially in the ground.

Thesaurus: cavity, dent, dimple, pit, indentation, impression, valley, bowl, basin, hollow, excavation; Antonym: prominence, protuberance.