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.
There are warning signs and behaviors that distinguish the two mood disorders from each other. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026 For example, anxiety and mood disorders have overlapping signs and symptoms, and patients often meet criteria concurrently for both sets of disorders. — Anand Kumar, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026 As the Lindsay Clancy trial brings national attention to postpartum psychosis, Allegheny Health Network is highlighting its efforts to support mothers experiencing perinatal mood disorders. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 The assembly aimed to raise awareness and sympathy for those who suffer from postpartum mood disorders. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 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

See All Rhymes for mood disorder

Browse Nearby Words

mood board
mood disorder
moodily
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mood disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mood%20disorder. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All