depressant

[ dih-pres-uh nt ]
/ dɪˈprɛs ənt /

adjective

Medicine/Medical. having the quality of depressing or lowering the vital activities; sedative.
causing a lowering in spirits; dejecting.
causing a drop in value; economically depressing.

noun

Medicine/Medical. a sedative. Compare stimulant(def 1).
Chemistry. any agent capable of diminishing a specific property of a substance.

Origin of depressant

First recorded in 1875–80; depress + -ant

Example sentences from the Web for depressant

British Dictionary definitions for depressant

depressant
/ (dɪˈprɛsənt) /

adjective

med able to diminish or reduce nervous or functional activity
causing gloom or dejection; depressing

noun

a depressant drug

Medical definitions for depressant

depressant
[ dĭ-prĕsənt ]

adj.

Tending to lower the rate of vital physiological activities.

n.

An agent, especially a drug, that decreases the rate of vital physiological activities.