noun
depository
dih-PO-ziht-ree
noun
1
A place where things are stored for safekeeping, such as a warehouse or vault.
"The old cathedral serves as a depository for centuries of religious artefacts."
"Documents were sent to a secure depository outside the city."
2
A person or institution entrusted with holding something on another's behalf.
"The bank acts as depository for the trust's assets."
How to Use Depository
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA safe place where things are kept, or the person/place responsible for holding them.
Common mistake
Don't mix up with "depot", which is more about transport or storage of goods and vehicles rather than safekeeping.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
book depository
secure depository
depository institution
Word Forms
depositories plural
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The old cathedral serves as a _____ for centuries of religious artefacts.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin depositorium, built on Latin depositum, "something set down" — the same root as deposit.