depot

noun

de·​pot
senses 1 and 2 are
ˈde-(ˌ)pō How to pronounce depot (audio)
also
ˈdē- How to pronounce depot (audio)
sense 3 is
ˈdē- How to pronounce depot (audio)
sometimes
ˈde- How to pronounce depot (audio)
1
a
: a place for storing goods or motor vehicles
b
: store, cache
a fat depot in the body
2
a
: a place for the storage of military supplies
b
: a place for the reception and forwarding of military replacements
3
: a building for railroad or bus passengers or freight

Examples of depot in a Sentence

a distribution depot for auto parts the guns and ammunition were stored in a depot in Concord
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ukraine, for its part, has stepped up long-range drone attacks on Russian oil depots and refineries, which could drive up the cost of fuel for Russians. Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025 Salisbury is preserving the depot and will make additions to help return the building to its railroad focus. Damenica Ellis july 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2025 Last year, Ukraine launched a series of successful long-range drone strikes against ammunition depots hundreds of miles inside Russian territory. Jon Finer, Foreign Affairs, 7 July 2025 Displays show class portraits, articles honoring champion basketball teams, and historic photos and artifacts that once belonged to the interurban trains that ran past the depot. Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for depot

Word History

Etymology

French dépôt, from Middle French depost, from Medieval Latin depositum, from Latin, neuter of depositus

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of depot was in 1795

Cite this Entry

“Depot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depot. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

depot

noun
de·​pot
senses 1 & 2 are
ˈdep-ˌō How to pronounce depot (audio)
also
ˈdē-ˌpō How to pronounce depot (audio)
 sense 3 is  ˈdē-ˌpō,
 sometimes  ˈdep-ˌō
1
: a place of deposit for goods : storehouse
2
: a place where military supplies are kept or where troops are assembled and trained
3
: a building for railroad or bus passengers or freight : station

Medical Definition

depot

1 of 2 noun
: a bodily location where a substance is stored usually for later utilization
fat depots as a source of energy

depot

2 of 2 adjective
: being in storage
depot fat
also : acting over a prolonged period
depot insulin

More from Merriam-Webster on depot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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