deposition

noun de·po·si·tion \ ˌde-pə-ˈzi-shən , ˌdē-pə- \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of deposition

1 a law : a testifying especially before a court

was sworn in before giving his deposition

b : declaration; specifically, law : testimony taken down in writing under oath

took depositions from the witnesses

c law : out-of-court testimony made under oath and recorded by an authorized officer for later use in court

gave a videotaped deposition about what she witnessed

; also : a meeting at which such testimony is taken

2 : an act or process of laying someone or something down or letting something fall : an act or process of depositing

the deposition of earth and stone by glaciers

3 : something deposited : deposit

Moraines are glacial depositions.

4 : an act of removing from a position of authority : an act of deposing

deposition of a king

—

depositional

play \-ˈzish-nəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See deposition defined for English-language learners

See deposition defined for kids

Examples of deposition in a Sentence

She gave a videotaped deposition about what she saw that night.
His attorneys took depositions from the witnesses.
the deposition of sand and gravel on the river bed

Recent Examples of deposition from the Web

But one barb hit Mims in the right elbow and the other struck the house, rendering the Taser shot ineffective, according to depositions.

— michael gordon, charlotteobserver, "A series of mistakes by panicked police led to a Charlotte man's death, lawyer says | Charlotte Observer," 3 Apr. 2018
In the filing, Fernandez points to a deposition of Lt.

— jordan mcpherson, miamiherald, "Jose Fernandez, Marlins ace killed in crash, was framed in investigation, attorney says | Miami Herald," 3 Apr. 2018
Consider that Costand had first accused Cosby of assaulting her in 2005; 13 other women followed suit with depositions for her civil case.

— michelle ruiz, Vogue, "The Bill Cosby Retrial Starts Today. Will it Be Different Amid #MeToo?," 2 Apr. 2018
President Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen would agree to a deposition if a judge orders it, according to his attorney and spokesman, David Schwartz.

— CBS News, "Michael Cohen's attorney accuses Stormy Daniels of "legal extortion"," 29 Mar. 2018
And, legal experts say, the answers to questions raised in a deposition could open fresh avenues for legal inquiry and potential vulnerabilities for Trump.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "Interview on alleged affair tests Trump's vow of silence," 23 Mar. 2018
None of those punished were interviewed or implicated in any of the depositions or prior internal reports.

— zak koeske, Daily Southtown, "Country Club Hills suspended 3 firefighters for 'inappropriate' internet use, records show," 17 Mar. 2018
People aren't interested in depositions, and discovery, and trials.

— eric heisig, cleveland.com, "How Ohio's internet investigators cope with the stress of having to view child pornography," 9 Jan. 2018
But one barb hit Mims in the right elbow and the other struck the house, rendering the Taser shot ineffective, according to depositions.

— fred clasen-kelly, charlotteobserver, "‘Go ahead and shoot me,’ he told police. Was his killing justified? | Charlotte Observer," 30 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deposition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of deposition

see depose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

deposition Synonyms

Synonyms

deposit, dregs, grounds, precipitate, sediment, settlings;

Related Words

lees;

ooze, silt, sludge;

dross, slag, waste;

DEPOSITION Defined for English Language Learners

deposition

noun

Definition of deposition for English Language Learners

law : a formal statement that someone who has promised to tell the truth makes so that the statement can be used in court; especially : a formal statement that is made before a trial by a witness who will not be present at the trial
: the action of depositing something (such as sand, snow, or mud) on a surface or area especially over a period of time
: the act removing someone from a powerful position : the act of deposing someone

Medical Dictionary

deposition

noun de·po·si·tion \ ˌdep-ə-ˈzi-shən , ˌdē-pə- \

medical Definition of deposition

1 : a process of depositing something

the deposition and clearance of a metabolic product

2 : something deposited : deposit

beta-amyloid depositions in Alzheimer's disease

Law Dictionary

deposition

noun de·po·si·tion \ ˌde-pə-ˈzi-shən \

legal Definition of deposition

1 a : a statement that is made under oath by a party or witness (as an expert) in response to oral examination or written questions and that is recorded by an authorized officer (as a court reporter); broadly : affidavit

b : the certified document recording such a statement — compare interrogatory

2 : the hearing at which a deposition is made

the deposition takes place where the deponent answers the questions
—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 30(b)(4)

Note: A deposition can be used as a method of discovery, to preserve the testimony of a witness who is likely to become unavailable for trial, or for impeachment of testimony at trial. Depositions are distinguished from affidavits by the requirement that notice and an opportunity to cross-examine the deponent must be given to the other party.