deposition

noun

Save Word

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 Learn More about deposition

Keep scrolling for more

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 The book’s prologue sees Kathe Sackler casually answering questions during a deposition for a massive lawsuit against her and her family in 2019. — Zachary Siegel, The New Republic, "What Did the Sacklers Know?," 23 Apr. 2021 Paul Flores has remained mum through the years, invoking his Fifth Amendment right to not answer questions before a grand jury and in a deposition for the lawsuit brought against him. — Brian Melley, ajc, "Prosecutor: Missing student killed during 1996 rape attempt," 15 Apr. 2021 Paul Flores has remained mum through the years, invoking his Fifth Amendment right to not answer questions before a grand jury and in a deposition for the lawsuit brought against him. — Brian Melley, Anchorage Daily News, "Missing California college student Kristin Smart was killed in 1996 during an attempted rape, prosecutor says," 14 Apr. 2021 Paul Flores has remained mum through the years, invoking his Fifth Amendment right to not answer questions before a grand jury and in a deposition for a lawsuit that was brought against him. — Brian Melley, USA TODAY, "'Prime suspect' arrested in 1996 disappearance of California college student Kristin Smart," 13 Apr. 2021 After speaking with investigators in the weeks after Smart’s disappearance, Paul Flores refused to discuss the case when he was called to testify before a grand jury and again later in a deposition for a civil suit brought by Smart’s family. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, "After years of suspicion, Paul Flores is arrested in the disappearance of Kristin Smart," 13 Apr. 2021 Paul Flores has remained mum through the years, invoking his Fifth Amendment right to not answer questions before a grand jury and in a deposition for a lawsuit that was brought against him. — Brian Melley, chicagotribune.com, "‘Prime suspect’ arrested in 25-year-old disappearance of California college student Kristin Smart," 13 Apr. 2021 But during a deposition for the Henry family’s wrongful death lawsuit a year after the grand jury’s decision, Beckley gave a different account. — NBC News, "Families seek new investigations into old police killings," 12 Oct. 2020 The judge ruled last week that two perjury counts Maxwell faces for allegedly lying in a deposition taken in a civil lawsuit brought by alleged victims will be tried separately. — Kara Scannell, CNN, "Ghislaine Maxwell pleads not guilty to new sex trafficking charges," 23 Apr. 2021

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about deposition

Dictionary Entries near deposition

deposition from the cross

deposit money

deposit of faith

Statistics for deposition

Last Updated

9 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Deposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deposition. Accessed 9 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for deposition

deposition

noun

English Language Learners Definition of deposition

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

technical : the action of depositing something (such as sand, snow, or mud) on a surface or area especially over a period of time

formal : the act removing someone from a powerful position : the act of deposing someone

See the full definition for deposition in the English Language Learners 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

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.

Keep scrolling for more