deputy

noun

dep·u·ty ˈde-pyə-tē

plural deputies

Synonyms of deputy

: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act

: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge in the absence of a superior

—often used before another noun

the deputy director

: a member of the lower house of some legislative assemblies

Examples of deputy in a Sentence

the club president sent a deputy to the conference to vote on our behalf a deputy supervisor to help out with routine tasks

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.

This week, multiple deputies in the Hall County Sheriff's Office resigned amid ongoing Flock misuse investigations. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026 Sign In Elektra Kotsoni is deputy director for Vogue Business and Vogue Runway. — Elektra Kotsoni, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026 Clad with ballistic-resistant plate carriers, the deputies surrounded Martinez’s truck, drawing their guns and forcing him into cuffs. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026 Mike Crum, the city’s deputy director of public events, said the facility needed to evolve for Fort Worth to compete with places like Oklahoma City, Nashville and Charlotte for large-scale convention business. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deputy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French deputé, past participle of deputer

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of deputy was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

deputize

deputy

deputy chief

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Deputy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deputy

noun

dep·u·ty ˈdep-yət-ē

plural deputies

: a person appointed to act for or in place of another

: an assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent

deputy adjective

Legal Definition

deputy

noun

dep·u·ty ˈde-pyə-tē

plural deputies

: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act

: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent

specifically : deputy sheriff

Etymology

Middle French deputé person appointed to exercise authority, from past participle of deputer to appoint, depute

deputy

noun

Synonyms of deputy

Examples of deputy in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

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