mood disorder

noun

: any of several psychological disorders (such as major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder) characterized by abnormalities of emotional state

called also affective disorder

Examples of mood disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In addition, several factors can increase the risk of extreme coronavirus symptoms, including underlying health conditions, mood disorders and chronic or severe illness. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2026 Psychiatric disorders are generally divided into mood disorders and psychotic disorders, Osborne said; postpartum psychosis is a mood disorder, in which mood symptoms accompany psychotic symptoms. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Research suggests that learning to address emotional dysregulation early on can reduce the risk of long-term consequences, including serious mental health conditions such as major mood disorders and borderline personality disorder. — Jessica Griffin, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 Stolzenberg’s lab focuses on pre-clinical research into how the hormones involved with pregnancy and motherhood shape rodents’ brains to develop treatments for peripartum mood disorders. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mood disorder

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mood disorder was in 1969

Rhymes for mood disorder

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Browse Nearby Words

mood board
mood disorder
moodily
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Cite this Entry

“Mood disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mood%20disorder. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mood disorder

noun
: any of several psychological disorders characterized by abnormalities of emotional state

Medical Definition

mood disorder

noun
: any of several psychological disorders characterized by abnormalities of emotional state and including especially major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder

called also affective disorder

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