deposition

noun

de·​po·​si·​tion ˌde-pə-ˈzi-shən 

ˌdē-pə-

1

law : out-of-court testimony that is made under oath by a party or witness (as an expert) in response to oral or written questions and that is 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

ˌde-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌdē-pə-

adjective

Synonyms of deposition

• sediment
• deposit
• silt

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 on the Web

This article is based largely on transcripts, deposition videos, and exhibits from three court cases that went to trial in 2024. — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026

The issue stems from a June 8 hearing in which fired state trooper Michael Proctor, who is a witness in the case, attempted to delay his deposition for personal reasons. — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 1 July 2026

The fee award does not cover any costs associated with her own suit, which entailed extensive depositions, other discovery, document review, motion practice, and public relations. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 June 2026

Plans call for the installation of 500 microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) systems capable of producing 2-inch to 4-inch single-crystal diamond wafers. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

see depose

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing deposition

• atomic layer deposition

Rhymes for deposition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

deposition

noun

de·​po·​si·​tion ˌdep-ə-ˈzish-ən 

ˌdē-pə-

1

: the act of removing a person from high office

the deposition of the king

2

: a statement especially in writing made under oath

3

: the action or process of depositing

the deposition of silt by a stream

4

: something deposited : deposit

depositional

-ˈzish-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

deposition

noun

de·​po·​si·​tion ˌdep-ə-ˈzi-shən  ˌdē-pə- 

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

Legal Definition

deposition

noun

de·​po·​si·​tion ˌde-pə-ˈzi-shən 

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.

Etymology

Late Latin depositio testimony, from Latin, act of depositing, from deponere to put down, deposit