Definition of "deposit" in English

noun

1. (geology) Sediment or rock that is not native to its present location or is different from the surrounding material. Sometimes refers to ore or gems.

2. (law) Bailment of personal property to be kept gratuitously for the bailor (depositor) and without any benefit to the bailee (depositary), e.g. for storage, carriage, repair, etc.

3. (banking) Money placed in a bank account, as for safekeeping or to earn interest.

4. Anything left behind on a surface.

   • a mineral deposit
   • a deposit of seaweed on the shore
   • a deposit of jam on my countertop

5. (finance) A sum of money or other asset given as an initial payment, to show good faith, or to reserve something for purchase.

   • They put down a deposit on the apartment.

6. A sum of money given as a security for a borrowed item, which will be given back when the item is returned, e.g. a bottle deposit or can deposit

7. A place of deposit; a depository.

verb

1. (transitive) To lay down; to place; to put.

   • A crocodile deposits her eggs in the sand.
   • The waters deposited a rich alluvium.

2. To lay up or away for safekeeping; to put up; to store.

   • to deposit goods in a warehouse

3. To entrust one's assets to the care of another. Sometimes done as collateral.

4. (transitive) To put money or funds into an account.

   • I had to deposit two months' rent into my landlord's account before he gave me the keys.

5. To lay aside; to rid oneself of.