depression/dIˋprɛʃən; dIˈpreʃ$n/n [C,U] 1 a feeling of great sadness, or a medical condition that makes you have this feeling 忧伤﹐沮丧﹔抑郁症: The patient is suffering from depression . 这名患者得了抑郁症。2 a long period during which there is very little business activity and many people do not have jobs 经济萧条期: a severe economic depression 严重的经济萧条期