Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - deposit

~1 n 1 »SUM OF MONEY« the first part of the money for a house, car, holiday etc, that you pay so that it will be kept for you  (put down a deposit (on) (=pay a deposit))  (We put down a deposit on a house last week.) 2 »RENT« money that you pay when you rent or hire something, which will be given back if you do not damage the thing you are renting or hiring  (You will have to pay one month's rent in advance, plus a deposit of $500.) 3 »BANK« an amount of money that is paid into a bank account  (make a deposit)  (I'd like to make a deposit, please.) 4 »SOIL/MINERALS« a layer of a mineral, metal etc that is left in soil or rocks through a natural process  (rich deposits of gold in the hills) 5 »LAYER« an amount or layer of a substance that gradually develops in a particular place  (fatty deposits on the heart) 6 »ELECTION« money paid by someone who is a candidate (1) in a political election in Britain, that will be returned to them if they get enough votes  (lose your deposit (=not get enough votes)) ~2 v 1 T always + adv/prep formal to put something down in a particular place + on/in/by etc  (The female deposits her eggs directly into the water.) 2 to leave a layer of a substance on the surface of something  (As the river slows down, it deposits a layer of soil.) 3 to put money or something valuable in a bank or other place where it will be safe  (You are advised to deposit your valuables in the hotel safe.)