security deposit

noun

: an amount of money that a renter pays when beginning to rent property (such as an apartment) and that can be used to pay for any damage that the renter causes to the property

Examples of security deposit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In the 1970s, a prospective tenant murdered my grandfather over a $160 security deposit. Trymaine Lee, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 Most tenants seem to just expect the landlord to keep the security deposit, honestly. Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 26 Aug. 2025 The top concerns include security deposit issues, lack of communication and maintenance negligence. Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025 All three organizations are working on a $1.32 million grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services funneled through Lake County to provide help countywide to anyone not more than three months behind on their rent or mortgage or in need of help to make a security deposit. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for security deposit

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Cite this Entry

“Security deposit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/security%20deposit. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

security deposit

noun
: money provided by a tenant to a landlord to secure performance of a rental agreement or compensate for possible loss or damage
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