depositary

American  

[dih-poz-i-ter-ee] / dɪˈpɒz ɪˌtɛr i /

noun

depositaries plural

1. one to whom anything is given in trust.

2. depository.

---

adjective

1. depository.

depositary British  

/ -trɪ, dɪˈpɒzɪtərɪ /

noun

1. a person or group to whom something is entrusted for safety or preservation

2. a variant spelling of depository

---

Etymology

Origin of depositary

1595–1605; < Late Latin dēpositārius a trustee, equivalent to Latin dēposit ( us ) ( see deposit) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

BP’s American depositary receipts fell 0.2% early Thursday, having dropped 6% over the previous two sessions.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

American depositary receipts of PDD have continued to weaken after falling about 10% in the first three months of 2026, losing nearly 15% year to date.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

SK Hynix said in March it had filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to list American depositary receipts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

American depositary receipts of BP were down 5.8% in premarket trading.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

In railroad and other reorganizations, the trust company takes a prominent part, acting both as a depositary for, and as a representative of, the committees which formulate and execute the plans of reorganization.

From Readings in Money and Banking Selected and Adapted by Phillips, Chester Arthur