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 witnessedalso : 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 glaciers3
: something deposited : deposit Moraines are glacial depositions.4
: an act of removing from a position of authority : an act of deposing Examples of deposition in a SentenceShe 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 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 finale features Dan's passionate support of his dead wife during a deposition for a lawsuit against the opioid company. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025 An attorney for the governor, Scott Eckersley, later said in a deposition that Martin tried to block the release of government emails and told employees to delete their messages. —Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2025 Attorneys for Heritage homeowners who are suing the Keller school board are subpoenaing board attorney Tim Davis to testify at a deposition and provide documents related to the board’s efforts to split the school district. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025 Vance’s post came just hours after a federal judge ordered Trump officials to deliver depositions about its failure to retrieve Abrego Garcia, who is a legal U.S. resident and was wrongfully deported to a prison in El Salvador. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deposition Word HistoryFirst Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Time Traveler
The first known use of deposition was in the 14th century Cite this Entry“Deposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deposition. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
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