depot

noun

de·​pot
senses 1 and 2 are
ˈde-(ˌ)pō How to pronounce depot (audio)
also
ˈdē- How to pronounce depot (audio)
sense 3 is
ˈdē- How to pronounce depot (audio)
sometimes
ˈde- How to pronounce depot (audio)
1
a
: a place for storing goods or motor vehicles
b
: store, cache
a fat depot in the body
2
a
: a place for the storage of military supplies
b
: a place for the reception and forwarding of military replacements
3
: a building for railroad or bus passengers or freight

Examples of depot in a Sentence

a distribution depot for auto parts the guns and ammunition were stored in a depot in Concord
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Less than a week ago, on June 12, Israel launched a barrage of attacks against Iran, targeting nuclear sites, missile depots, and military and political leaders. Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2025 The congestion comes as the port continues to handle containers in droves, both from the ships at berth and from 19 private inland container depots established outside of the hub. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 18 June 2025 This image from June 15, 2025 show vehicles jamming a highway as a fire blazes nearby in the oil depots of Shahran, northwest of Tehran, Iran. Amanda Castro shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025 See What Strategic Infrastructure Israel Has Damaged in Iran Israel’s largest attack ever against Iran has targeted nuclear and military facilities, gas and oil depots and the government-run broadcaster. Bora Erden, New York Times, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for depot

Word History

Etymology

French dépôt, from Middle French depost, from Medieval Latin depositum, from Latin, neuter of depositus

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of depot was in 1795

Cite this Entry

“Depot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depot. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

depot

noun
de·​pot
senses 1 & 2 are
ˈdep-ˌō How to pronounce depot (audio)
also
ˈdē-ˌpō How to pronounce depot (audio)
 sense 3 is  ˈdē-ˌpō,
 sometimes  ˈdep-ˌō
1
: a place of deposit for goods : storehouse
2
: a place where military supplies are kept or where troops are assembled and trained
3
: a building for railroad or bus passengers or freight : station

Medical Definition

depot

1 of 2 noun
: a bodily location where a substance is stored usually for later utilization
fat depots as a source of energy

depot

2 of 2 adjective
: being in storage
depot fat
also : acting over a prolonged period
depot insulin

More from Merriam-Webster on depot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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