depository

noun

de·​pos·​i·​to·​ry di-ˈpä-zə-ˌtȯr-ē 

plural depositories

1

: depositary sense 1

a depository of ancient tradition

2

: a place where something is placed or deposited especially for safekeeping

a book depository

a depository for government funds

Synonyms of depository

• warehouse
• repository

Examples of depository in a Sentence

The bank is used as a depository for government funds.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Middle East remains the world’s key depository of both—aside from the US. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026

Common options include home safes, bank safe-deposit boxes and third-party bullion depositories. —Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

With just two trading days left in the month, foreign portfolio investors have already pulled out 1.12 trillion rupees ($12.1 billion) — likely marking the worst monthly selloff, surpassing the previous record of 940 billion rupees in October 2024, according to data from depository firm NSDL. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026

Breaking into a depository of money. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see deposit entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing depository

• depository library
• night depository

Rhymes for depository

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

Kids Definition

depository

noun

de·​pos·​i·​to·​ry di-ˈpäz-ə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

plural depositories

: a place where something is deposited especially for safekeeping

Legal Definition

depository

noun

de·​pos·​i·​to·​ry di-ˈpä-zə-ˌtōr-ē 

plural depositories

1

: a place where something is deposited especially for safekeeping

night depository

specifically : a bank chosen for the depositing of government funds

2

: depositary