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

depositional

ˌde-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌdē-pə-

adjective

Synonyms

• deposit
• dregs
• grounds
• precipitate
• sediment
• settlings

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

Colleagues recalled Collins as a devoted family man who would drop everything — even, for example, in the midst of a deposition — if his wife and daughters needed him. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025

Tungsten diselenide vapor was sprayed over this array of trenches at 485° C as part of the chemical vapor deposition process. —Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025

Carroll's legal team has noted that during a 2022 deposition Trump confused Carroll in a photo from 1987 for his former wife, Marla Maples. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024

The court scaled back how long cases could drag on by limiting discovery, including how long a deposition can go. —Eleanor Klibanoff, Austin American-Statesman, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see depose

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing deposition

• atomic layer deposition

Kids 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

depositional

-ˈzish-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

deposition

noun

de·​po·​si·​tion ˌdep-ə-ˈzi-shən  ˌdē-pə- 

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 

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)

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