1 [count] law : a formal statement that someone who has promised to tell the truth makes so that the statement can be used in court ; especially : a formal statement that is made before a trial by a witness who will not be present at the trial
▪ She gave a videotaped deposition about what she saw that night. ▪ His attorneys took depositions from the witnesses. 2 [noncount] technical : the action of depositing something (such as sand, snow, or mud) on a surface or area especially over a period of time
▪ the deposition of sand and gravel on the river bed 3 [count, noncount] formal : the act removing someone from a powerful position : the act of deposing someone
▪ deposition of the king