deposition

noun

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de·po·si·tion | \ ˌde-pə-ˈzi-shən

, ˌdē-pə- \

Definition of deposition

1a 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

Other Words from deposition Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing deposition Learn More About deposition

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 Britney Spears will not have to answer questions from her father’s lawyer in a deposition, a probate judge ruled on Wednesday. — Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety, 27 July 2022 The woman, who ProPublica is not identifying for privacy reasons, said in a deposition in the wrongful death suit that at the time of the procedure the two were already talking about obtaining a divorce, which was finalized later that year. — Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 19 July 2022 The woman, who ProPublica is not identifying for privacy reasons, said in a deposition in the wrongful death suit that at the time of the procedure the two were already talking about obtaining a divorce, which was finalized later that year. — Nicole Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 15 July 2022 The oversight committee has since attempted to subpoena Snyder to testify in a deposition, but to no avail. — Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 Another reason: years ago Francis testified in a deposition for a court martial of a Navy fighter pilot charged with accepting bribes. — Greg Moran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 June 2022 Chow testified in a deposition in the lawsuit recently that prosecutors should have filed criminal charges. — Alene Tchekmedyianstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2022 Sloan said in a deposition that deputies carried out hundreds of no-knock searches, although the county and courts have little record of them. — Washington Post, 11 May 2022 Williamson then found Meadows in his office and repeated the message, Williamson said in a deposition. — Michael Kranish, Anchorage Daily News, 11 May 2022 See More

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.

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deposit currency

deposition

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Last Updated

13 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Deposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deposition. Accessed 16 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for deposition

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

deposition

noun

de·po·si·tion | \ ˌde-pə-ˈzi-shən

Legal Definition of deposition

1a : 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.