deposition

noun

de·​po·​si·​tion ˌde-pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce deposition (audio)
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
depositional
ˌde-pə-ˈzish-nəl How to pronounce deposition (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
ˌdē-pə-
adjective

Example Sentences

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 Dominion cited deposition testimony from David Clark, a Fox News executive in charge of weekend programming, who acknowledged on Nov. 6, 2020, that the election was fair. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2023 Variety Intelligence Platform released a survey Thursday how Fox News viewers feel about the network in the wake of deposition testimony, as well as the hosts’ private emails and text messages. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Mar. 2023 Murdoch, in the deposition, also cited his personal friendship with an unnamed Senate candidate in his suggestion to Scott that the network give extra attention to Republicans in close Senate races. Nicholas Riccardi And David Bauder, ajc, 10 Mar. 2023 Murdoch, in the deposition, also cited his personal friendship with an unnamed Senate candidate in his suggestion to Scott that the network give extra attention to Republicans in close Senate races. Nicholas Riccardi, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Mar. 2023 Murdoch, in the deposition, also cited his personal friendship with an unnamed Senate candidate in his suggestion to Scott that the network give extra attention to Republicans in close Senate races. Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2023 Matisse actually did a series of Stations of the Cross on one wall, simple numbered outline drawings of Christ’s passion: the scourging, the judgment, the crucifixion, the deposition. Adam Gopnik, Town & Country, 5 Mar. 2023 Records on the deposition of the traffic offenses were not immediately available. Tina Burnside, CNN, 2 Mar. 2023 The stunning revelations based on deposition testimony were in a brief filed Monday in Delaware State Court by Dominion Voting Systems, the latest salvo in the company’s $1.6-billion defamation suit against the conservative news network. Stephen Battaglio Los Angeles Times (tns), al, 27 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deposition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

see depose

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of deposition was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near deposition

Cite this Entry

“Deposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deposition. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

deposition

noun
de·​po·​si·​tion ˌdep-ə-ˈzish-ən How to pronounce deposition (audio)
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 How to pronounce deposition (audio)
-ən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

deposition

noun
de·​po·​si·​tion ˌdep-ə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce deposition (audio) ˌdē-pə- How to pronounce deposition (audio)
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 How to pronounce deposition (audio)
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 questionsFederal 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

More from Merriam-Webster on deposition

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