deposition
noun
de·po·si·tion
ˌde-pə-ˈzi-shən 
ˌdē-pə-
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
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 finale features Dan's passionate support of his dead wife during a deposition for a lawsuit against the opioid company.
—
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
An attorney for the governor, Scott Eckersley, later said in a deposition that Martin tried to block the release of government emails and told employees to delete their messages.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2025
Attorneys for Heritage homeowners who are suing the Keller school board are subpoenaing board attorney Tim Davis to testify at a deposition and provide documents related to the board’s efforts to split the school district.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025
Vance’s post came just hours after a federal judge ordered Trump officials to deliver depositions about its failure to retrieve Abrego Garcia, who is a legal U.S. resident and was wrongfully deported to a prison in El Salvador.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deposition
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Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
An attorney for the governor, Scott Eckersley, later said in a deposition that Martin tried to block the release of government emails and told employees to delete their messages.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2025
Attorneys for Heritage homeowners who are suing the Keller school board are subpoenaing board attorney Tim Davis to testify at a deposition and provide documents related to the board’s efforts to split the school district.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025
Vance’s post came just hours after a federal judge ordered Trump officials to deliver depositions about its failure to retrieve Abrego Garcia, who is a legal U.S. resident and was wrongfully deported to a prison in El Salvador.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deposition
Cite this Entry
“Deposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deposition. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Medical Definition
deposition
noun
de·po·si·tion
ˌdep-ə-ˈzi-shən
ˌdē-pə-
ˌdē-pə-
1
: a process of depositing something
the deposition and clearance of a metabolic product
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)
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
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