great depression: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Historical, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “great depression” mean?
A specific, severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929 until the late 1930s.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific, severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929 until the late 1930s.
Any period of exceptionally severe and prolonged economic decline characterized by high unemployment, falling prices, low production, and widespread business failures. Can be used metaphorically for a state of deep unhappiness or stagnation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in reference to the historical event. In extended/metaphorical use, 'depression' alone is more common in UK English for economic downturns (e.g., 'the depression of the 1930s'), whereas US English more rigidly reserves 'Great Depression' for the specific event.
Connotations
Identical historical connotations. In metaphorical use, may sound slightly more dramatic or literary in UK English.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English due to the event's central role in 20th-century American history and cultural memory.
Grammar
How to Use “great depression” in a Sentence
The Great Depression + verb (lasted, began, ended)during + the Great Depressionthe Great Depression of + [year/period]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great depression” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The market did not just fall; it was truly great-depressed.
- To great-depress an economy takes a perfect storm of failures. (Note: highly non-standard/coinage)
American English
- The policies seemed designed to great-depress consumer confidence. (Note: highly non-standard/coinage)
- They feared the trade war would great-depress global growth. (Note: highly non-standard/coinage)
adverb
British English
- The economy failed great-depressingly quickly. (Note: non-standard/coinage)
- Stocks fell great-depressingly low. (Note: non-standard/coinage)
American English
- The banks behaved great-depressingly by calling in all loans. (Note: non-standard/coinage)
- Unemployment rose great-depressingly fast. (Note: non-standard/coinage)
adjective
British English
- Great-Depression levels of unemployment are now unthinkable. (attributive noun used adjectivally)
- The film was a great-depression era drama.
American English
- They studied Great-Depression economics. (attributive noun used adjectivally)
- He had a Great-Depression mentality about saving money.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used as a historical benchmark for worst-case economic scenarios. 'Policymakers are determined to avoid another Great Depression.'
Academic
A major subject of study in history and economics, analyzed for causes, global impact, and policy responses.
Everyday
Referenced in family history, stories of hardship, or as a comparison for current economic troubles. 'My grandfather lost the farm in the Great Depression.'
Technical
In economics, a precise period defined by specific metrics like duration, depth of GDP decline, and peak unemployment.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great depression”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “great depression”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great depression”
- Using lowercase 'great depression' when referring to the specific 1930s event (should be capitalized).
- Using 'Great Depression' to describe a short, mild recession.
- Confusing with the general psychological condition 'depression' without clear context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Great Depression is generally dated from the stock market crash of 1929 to the late 1930s, with its effects lasting until the beginning of World War II.
Historians and economists cite a combination of factors including the 1929 stock market crash, banking panics, protectionist trade policies (like the Smoot-Hawley Tariff), and a contraction in the money supply.
Yes, when referring specifically to the worldwide economic crisis of the 1930s, it is a proper noun and is capitalized: 'the Great Depression'. In a general sense ('a great depression'), it is not.
A depression is a much more severe and prolonged downturn. A common rule of thumb is a recession is a decline in GDP for two consecutive quarters, while a depression features a decline in GDP of more than 10% or lasting more than three years.
A specific, severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929 until the late 1930s.
Great depression is usually formal, historical, academic, journalistic in register.
Great depression: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt dɪˈpreʃ.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt dɪˈpreʃ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] plunged into a great depression”
- “a great depression of the spirit”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GREAT' as in 'large and severe', and 'DEPRESSION' as in the economy is 'pressed down'. The 1930s were a time when economic spirits were 'greatly depressed'.
Conceptual Metaphor
ECONOMY IS A LIVING ORGANISM (it can be depressed/sick/healthy); BAD TIMES ARE DARKNESS/LOW POINTS (a depression is a deep valley or a dark period).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of 'the Great Depression'?