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

The deposition was shown during the fourth week of the civil trial. —Morgan Lee, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, recently sat with lawmakers on the committee for their own depositions over the former Democratic president's connections to Epstein from more than two decades ago. —Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026

Rossen was surprised to learn that a number of Lampros’ operations have already ended in convictions in Palm Beach County, not just because of due process issues but because those prosecutions would require the catchers to sit for depositions, motion hearings and trials. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026

At the root of the trove of emails and depositions from Jeffrey Epstein released to the public is a concerningly underreported obsession with race and eugenics. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 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