1
a(1)
: a deep place in a body of water
fish living at great depths
(2)
: a part that is far from the outside or surface
the depths of the woods
(3)
b(1)
: a profound or intense state (as of thought or feeling)
the depths of sorrow
also
: a reprehensibly low condition
hadn't realized that standards had fallen to such depths
(2)
: the middle of a time (such as a season)
the depths of winter
(3)
: the worst part
the depths of the depression
2
mathematics
a
: the perpendicular (see perpendicular entry 1 sense 1b) measurement downward from a surface
the depth of a swimming pool
b
: the direct linear measurement from front to back
the depth of a bookshelf
3
: the quality of being deep
the depth of the pass
4
: the degree of intensity
depth of a color
also
: the quality of being profound (as in insight) or full (as of knowledge)
the depth of her experience
5
: the quality or state of being complete or thorough
—used in the phrase in depth
a study will be made in depth
a subject being discussed in depth [=thoroughly, comprehensively]
compare in-depth
6
US, sports
: the quality of having many good players
a team that lacks depth in the outfield
Examples of depth in a Sentence
These fish typically live at depths of 500 feet or more.
Students will test the temperature of the water at different depths.
The boat sank to a depth of several hundred feet.
measuring the depth of the water
the depth of a hole
The pool has a depth of 12 feet.
I began working at the factory during the depth of the Depression.
Recent Examples on the Web
The double maturation enhances both the sweetness and depth of its character.
—
Emily Price, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Its lack of ambition and depth is mostly overcome by other strengths.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
From objects to spaces and spaces to people, Loewe is nurturing a community rich in cultural depth.
—WWD, 28 Feb. 2025
Additional internal Cambridge reports obtained by ProPublica now detail the full scope and depth of the persuasion campaign’s sophistication and intrusiveness.
—Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depth
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Emily Price, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Its lack of ambition and depth is mostly overcome by other strengths.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
From objects to spaces and spaces to people, Loewe is nurturing a community rich in cultural depth.
—WWD, 28 Feb. 2025
Additional internal Cambridge reports obtained by ProPublica now detail the full scope and depth of the persuasion campaign’s sophistication and intrusiveness.
—Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depth
Cite this Entry
“Depth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depth. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
depth
noun1
a
: something that is deep : a deep place or part (as of a body of water)
b
: a part that is far from the outside or surface
the depths of the woods
c
: abyss
2
a
: the middle of a time
the depth of winter
b
: an extreme state (as of despair)
3
: distance from top to bottom or from front to back
4
: the quality of being deep
depth of understanding
5
: degree of intensity
the depth of a color
Medical Definition
depth
noun1
: the distance between upper and lower or between dorsal and ventral points of a body
2
: the quality of a state of consciousness, a bodily state, or a physiological function of being intense or complete
the depth of anesthesia
the depth of respiration
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