seasonal affective disorder

noun

: depression that tends to recur chiefly during the late fall and winter and is associated with shorter hours of daylight
abbreviation SAD

Did you know?

Seasonal affective disorder hasn't been recognized as a medical condition for very long, and the term has only become part of the general English vocabulary during the past three decades or so (its earliest documented appearance in print dates from 1983). "Seasonal affective disorder" (abbreviated SAD) is also sometimes called "Winter Depression" and some researchers describe it as a "hibernation reaction" in which sensitive individuals react to the decreasing amounts of light and the colder temperatures of fall and winter.

Examples of seasonal affective disorder in a Sentence

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Using a light therapy lamp, like those marketed for seasonal affective disorder, may help put some spring in your step. Jamie Ducharme, Health, 5 Mar. 2026 Studies suggest low vitamin D levels may be linked to seasonal affective disorder and mood changes. Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026 And while seasonal affective disorder is often talked about in terms of adults, children and adolescents are not necessarily immune. Sarah Adams, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2026 The symptoms that social media users are describing might overlap with seasonal affective disorder, depersonalization or the long-term effects of past trauma, Fisher said. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for seasonal affective disorder

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seasonal affective disorder was in 1983

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Cite this Entry

“Seasonal affective disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seasonal%20affective%20disorder. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

seasonal affective disorder

noun
: depression that tends to recur each year chiefly during the late fall and winter and is associated with shorter hours of daylight
abbreviation SAD
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