A deposition is a formal written statement, made for example by a witness to a crime, which can be used in a court of law if the witness cannot be present.
The jury heard 200 pages of depositions.
2. uncountable noun [usually with supplement]
Deposition is a process in which layers of a substance are formed inside something or on its surface over a period of time.
Continued deposition of silt along the coast is crucial in counteracting the risein sea level.
This leads to calcium deposition in the blood-vessels.
Synonyms: depositing, build-up, accumulation, settling More Synonyms of deposition
3. uncountable noun [usually with poss]
The deposition of a political leader is the removal of him or her from office.
It was this issue which led to the deposition of the king.
Synonyms: removal, dismissal, ousting, toppling More Synonyms of deposition
More Synonyms of deposition
deposition in British English
(ˌdɛpəˈzɪʃən, ˌdiːpə-)
noun
1. law
a.
the giving of testimony on oath
b.
the testimony so given
c.
the sworn statement of a witness used in court in his or her absence
2.
the act or instance of deposing
3.
the act or an instance of depositing
4.
something that is deposited; deposit
Word origin
C14: from Late Latin dēpositiō a laying down, disposal, burying, testimony
Deposition in British English
(ˌdɛpəˈzɪʃən, ˌdiːpə-)
noun
the taking down of Christ's body from the Cross or a representation of this
deposition in American English
(ˌdɛpəˈzɪʃən; ˌ dipəˈzɪʃən)
noun
1.
a deposing or being deposed; removal from office or position of power
2.
the act of testifying
3.
a depositing or being deposited
4.
something deposited or left lying
5. Law
the testimony of a witness made under oath, but not in open court, and written down to be used when the case comes to trial
Word origin
ME & OFr < L depositio, a laying or putting down < L depositus: see deposit
Examples of 'deposition' in a sentence
deposition
In a court of law, you take an oath before you give a deposition.
Christianity Today (2000)
1 (noun)
Definition
the sworn statement of a witness used in court in his or her absence
The material would be checked against depositions from other witnesses.
Synonyms
sworn statement (law)
evidence
Forensic scientists will be called to give evidence.
testimony
His testimony was an important element of the case.
declaration
I signed a declaration allowing my doctor to disclose my medical details.
affidavit
She was asked to sign an affidavit swearing that nothing had happened.
2 (noun)
Definition
the act of depositing
This leads to calcium deposition in the blood vessels.
Synonyms
depositing
build-up
a build-up of gases in the city's sewers
accumulation
The rate of accumulation decreases with time.
settling
precipitation (technical)
3 (noun)
Definition
the act of deposing
It was this issue which led to the deposition of the leader.
Synonyms
removal
His removal from power was illegal.
dismissal
his dismissal from his post
ousting
toppling
expulsion
Her behaviour led to her expulsion from school.
displacement
the displacement of your reason by your emotions
unseating
dethronement
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accumulation
Definition
the collecting together of things
The rate of accumulation decreases with time.
Synonyms
growth,
collection,
gathering,
build-up,
aggregation,
conglomeration,
augmentation
in the sense of affidavit
Definition
a written statement made under oath
She was asked to sign an affidavit swearing that nothing had happened.