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
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.
The Housing and Revitalization Department is also providing support for move-in costs, such as security deposit and first month rent for eligible households. Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025 South County Community Services helped her sign up for housing assistance and pay for her first month’s rent and security deposit. Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2025 California law says any fee charged by a landlord with the purpose to protect a landlord against damage to a property, such as a pet deposit, should be treated legally as a refundable security deposit. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025 Landlords have 30 days from the end date of the lease to return the tenant’s security deposit, according to the online property website Door Loop. Kendrick Marshall, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for security deposit

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Security deposit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/security%20deposit. Accessed 31 Dec. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!