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
Synonyms
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
At one point during his civil-fraud deposition, lawyers representing the state AG handed him a thick document: a property appraisal of 40 Wall.
—
Paula Aceves, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2024
The artwork required 10 prototypes to get right, and is made from stainless steel that was darkened using a process called physical vapor deposition, with contour lines engraved into the bright metal beneath.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2024
When asked about meetings with Democratic prosecutors and politicians during a House Judiciary Committee deposition, Wade failed to recall the details.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 22 Oct. 2024
Over the past few months, the two sides have navigated the deposition phase—Taylor subpoenaed the league as part of the fact-finding process—and tried to strengthen their positions in other ways.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deposition 
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.
Paula Aceves, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2024
The artwork required 10 prototypes to get right, and is made from stainless steel that was darkened using a process called physical vapor deposition, with contour lines engraved into the bright metal beneath.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2024
When asked about meetings with Democratic prosecutors and politicians during a House Judiciary Committee deposition, Wade failed to recall the details.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 22 Oct. 2024
Over the past few months, the two sides have navigated the deposition phase—Taylor subpoenaed the league as part of the fact-finding process—and tried to strengthen their positions in other ways.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deposition
Articles Related to deposition
Dictionary Entries Near deposition
Cite this Entry
“Deposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deposition. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share