Money deposited as security or earnest money, often in rental agreements or financial contexts. The term 'key money' is a common translation but can be misleading; it refers to a deposit rather than a non-refundable gift.
I paid a deposit when renting the apartment.
The deposit is refunded after the contract ends.
Compound of 預け (azuke, 'depositing', from verb 預ける azukeru) and 金 (kin, 'money').