deposit

[ dih-poz-it ]

verb (used with object)

1. to place for safekeeping or in trust, especially in a bank account:

   He deposited his paycheck every Friday.

   Synonyms: store, save, bank

2. to give as security or in part payment.
3. to deliver and leave (an item):

   Please deposit your returned books with the librarian.

4. to insert (a coin) in a coin-operated device:

   Deposit a quarter and push the button.

5. to put, place, or set down, especially carefully or exactly:

   She deposited the baby in the crib.

6. to lay or throw down by a natural process; precipitate:

   The river deposited soil at its mouth.

verb (used without object)

1. to be placed, inserted, precipitated, left for safekeeping, given as security or in partial payment, etc.

noun

1. money placed in a bank account or an instance of placing money in a bank account.
2. anything given as security or in part payment:

   The boy returned the bottle and got his five-cent deposit back.

   They made a deposit on the house and signed a ten-year mortgage.

3. anything laid away or entrusted to another for safekeeping:

   A large deposit of jewels was stolen from the hotel safe.

4. a place for safekeeping; depository.
5. something precipitated, delivered and left, or thrown down, as by a natural process:

   a deposit of soil.

6. the natural sediment of wine in a bottle.
7. a coating of metal deposited on something, usually by an electric current.
8. a natural accumulation or occurrence, especially of oil or ore:

   a mountain range with many rich deposits of gold.

   Synonyms: pocket, vein, lode

deposit

/ dɪˈpɒzɪt /

verb

1. to put or set down, esp carefully or in a proper place; place
2. to entrust for safekeeping; consign
3. to place (money) in a bank or similar institution in order to earn interest or for safekeeping
4. to give (money) in part payment or as security
5. to lay down naturally; cause to settle

   the river deposits silt

noun

1. 1. an instance of entrusting money or valuables to a bank or similar institution
   2. the money or valuables so entrusted
2. money given in part payment or as security, as when goods are bought on hire-purchase See also down payment
3. a consideration, esp money, given temporarily as security against loss of or damage to something borrowed or hired
4. an accumulation of sediments, mineral ores, coal, etc
5. any deposited material, such as a sediment or a precipitate that has settled out of solution
6. a coating produced on a surface, esp a layer of metal formed by electrolysis
7. a depository or storehouse
8. on deposit
   payable as the first instalment, as when buying on hire-purchase

deposit

/ dĭ-pŏz′ĭt /

1. An accumulation or layer of solid material, either consolidated or unconsolidated, left or laid down by a natural process. Deposits include sediments left by water, wind, ice, gravity, volcanic activity, or other agents. A layer of coal formed over many years through the decomposition of plant material is also a deposit.

Other Words From

• prede·posit noun verb
• rede·posit verb noun
• subde·posit noun
• super·de·posit noun
• unde·posit·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deposit¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin dēpositus “laid down,” past participle of dēpōnere; depone

Word History and Origins

Origin of deposit¹

C17: from Medieval Latin dēpositāre, from Latin dēpositus put down

Example Sentences

This year, Glastonbury tickets cost £375.50 each plus a £5 booking fee - but at the check-out you will only pay a deposit of £75, with the balance due in the first week of April.

From BBC

The deposit – the amount customers pay to secure their ticket – is £75.

From BBC

When combined with the requisite first month’s rent and security deposit in a city boasting some of the steepest rents on the planet, broker fees make moving in New York a cost-prohibitive luxury available to a select tier of renters with above-average access to cash.

From Salon

About two million are sold this way each year, with customers paying an initial deposit, then a monthly fee with interest for the vehicle.

From BBC

Her mother said she would pay a deposit for the operation beforehand but would need to pay the full charge before Lily was able to leave hospital.

From BBC

Related Words

• security