English Explanatory Dictionary

oppression

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.
  2. The act of oppressing, or the state of being oppressed.
  3. A feeling of being oppressed. Special usage may include a sense of heaviness or obstruction in the body or mind; depression; dullness; lassitude.

Pronunciation

/əˈpɹɛʃən/ en-us-oppression.ogg

Word forms

oppression oppressions

Etymology

From Middle English oppression, from Old French oppression, from Latin oppressiō (“a pressing down, violence, oppression”), from opprimō; see oppress.

Related words

oppress

Derived words

antioppression downpression nonoppression oppressional oppressionist Oppression Olympics silence is oppression triple oppression
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