deposit

American  

[dih-poz-it] / dɪˈpɒz ɪt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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. payable as the first instalment, as when buying on hire-purchase

deposit Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• predeposit noun
• redeposit verb
• subdeposit noun
• superdeposit noun
• undeposited adjective

Etymology

Origin of deposit

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

Explanation

You are making a deposit when you put money into your bank account. In that sentence, deposit is a noun, but you could express the same action using deposit as a verb. You deposit money into your bank account. The verb deposit can be used to refer to anything that you put down or in place. If you're carrying your keys and groceries from the car, you may deposit those items on the counter. Just be careful you don't end up playing "where are my keys" in the morning, if the counter is not your usual place for depositing them. You can also use deposit when nature does the placing. You find a deposit of gold in the mountain rock or there is sediment deposited at the bottom of a river.

Example Sentences

“The moment you say ‘I’m buying it’ and you send over a deposit or money, that insurance policy should start,” Fix said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

He said monthly rental costs had a major impact on buyers' ability to save for a deposit, and the plan would stop them being "locked out" of home ownership.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

For a $1 deposit, a client could “buy” $100 of stock.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

It adds that household deposit growth at the country’s top banks averaged roughly 3.3% in February, well below growth rates of more than 8% in 2024 and 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Elizabeth and I deposit the tindas on the kitchen counter.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Related Words

• accumulate
• amass
• collect
• deliver
• hoard
• install
• invest
• save
• stash
• transfer