noun
Uncommon
depot
DEH-poh
Depot (noun) means a building used to store goods, vehicles, or equipment. Example: “The buses return to the depot at the end of each shift.”
noun
1
A building used to store goods, vehicles, or equipment.
"The buses return to the depot at the end of each shift."
"Fresh supplies were unloaded at the army depot."
"The delivery vans are parked overnight at the depot behind the warehouse."
2
A train or bus station, especially in American English.
"She waited for the afternoon train at the old depot."
How to use depot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA storage or transport hub — for vehicles, goods, or in American usage, a station.
UK vs US
In American English "depot" often just means a train or bus station; in British English it more often means a storage or maintenance yard.
Common pairings
bus depot
train depot
supply depot
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Word forms
- Plural
- depots
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The buses return to the _____ at the end of each shift.
Etymology
From French depot, "a place where things are set down," ultimately from the same Latin root as deposit.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “depot” mean?
The word “depot” means a building used to store goods, vehicles, or equipment. In plain terms, a storage or transport hub — for vehicles, goods, or in American usage, a station.
How do you pronounce “depot”?
“Depot” is pronounced DEH-poh (/ˈdiːpoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “depot” in a sentence?
Here is “depot” used in a sentence: “The buses return to the depot at the end of each shift.”
What part of speech is “depot”?
“Depot” is a noun.
Where does the word “depot” come from?
The word “depot” comes from Latin. From French depot, "a place where things are set down," ultimately from the same Latin root as deposit.
Is “depot” a common word?
“Depot” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “depot” have?
“Depot” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a building used to store goods, vehicles, or equipment.
What is the difference between a depot and a warehouse?
A warehouse is chiefly a building for storing goods before they are sold or distributed. A depot is broader: it can store goods, vehicles, or equipment, and in some uses it is also a station where buses or trains pick up passengers.
What is the difference between a depot and a station?
In American English a depot can mean a train or bus station, especially a smaller one. 'Station' is the more general and widely understood term for the place where passengers board, while depot can also refer purely to a storage site.
What is the difference between a depot and a terminal?
A terminal is usually the end point of a transport route where large numbers of passengers or goods are handled. A depot is more often a place for storing vehicles and equipment or a local stop, so a terminal tends to be a bigger, end-of-line hub.
What are common collocations with depot?
Everyday phrases include 'bus depot', 'train depot', 'goods depot', and 'storage depot'. In business you may also hear 'distribution depot' for a hub that receives and sends out stock.
