What does deposition mean?
Deposition is a noun with several related strands of meaning. Most commonly today it refers to sworn testimony given out of court but recorded in writing (or on video) so that it can be used at trial — lawyers speak of taking, giving, or reading a deposition. A second, historical sense denotes the forced removal of a ruler from office, as in the deposition of a monarch. In science, deposition describes the process by which matter settles or is laid down, such as sediment accumulating in a riverbed or thin films forming in manufacturing. The word carries a distinctly formal tone: it belongs to courtrooms, constitutional history, and technical description rather than casual conversation. Its precision makes it valuable — it signals that words were given under oath or that a change of power was official and consequential. Related forms include the verb depose and the noun deposit.
Sworn testimony given out of court and recorded in writing or on video for use in legal proceedings.
"The attorney scheduled the deposition for Tuesday morning."
In US practice especially, depositions are a standard part of pre-trial discovery.
The act of removing a person, especially a monarch or official, from power or office.
"Parliament voted for the king's deposition in 1688."
The process by which material is deposited or laid down, such as sediment settling out of water or a substance condensing onto a surface.
"Chemical vapour deposition is widely used to manufacture semiconductor devices."
Standard regular plural; common in legal contexts when referring to multiple sworn statements.
"Both depositions were entered into evidence before the trial began."
A deposition can topple a king — or simply put a witness's words on paper before they ever reach a courtroom.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of deposition
Deposition comes from Latin depositio, meaning "a laying down," formed from the verb deponere — "to put down or aside" — which combines de- (down) with ponere (to place). English adopted the word via Old French in the late Middle Ages, initially carrying the sense of laying something down or removing something. Over time its meanings branched: in law it came to denote evidence laid down in writing under oath, while in political history it described the putting down or removal of a ruler. Its cognates include depose, deposit, and repository, all tracing back to the same Latin root ponere.
How deposition is actually used
Predominantly formal and legal in register. In everyday speech outside law, history, or science contexts, it is uncommon; speakers more often say "statement" or "testimony."
Easily confused with deposition
"Depose" is the verb meaning to remove from office or to testify under oath, while "deposition" is the noun referring either to that removal or to the sworn testimony itself.