deputy
noun
dep·u·ty
ˈde-pyə-tē 
plural deputies
often attributive
1
a
: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
b
: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent
2
: a member of the lower house of some legislative assemblies
Synonyms
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
Two of Biden’s close aides – deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal, Jill Biden's top adviser – will take the lead on planning for a presidential library, Axios reported in December.
—
Susan Page, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Facebook announced the prominent Republican Joel Kaplan as its new president of global affairs earlier this month, replacing former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.
—Michael D. Carroll and Theo Burman, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
At Nebraska, general manager Sean Padden manages the relationship with 1890, along with assistant AD for NIL strategy and governance Jonathan Bateman and deputy AD/COO Haven Fields.
—Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Upon arrival, officers discovered an older woman unresponsive outside the building, according to North Kansas City deputy city administrator Kim Nakahodo.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deputy 
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Susan Page, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Facebook announced the prominent Republican Joel Kaplan as its new president of global affairs earlier this month, replacing former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.
—Michael D. Carroll and Theo Burman, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
At Nebraska, general manager Sean Padden manages the relationship with 1890, along with assistant AD for NIL strategy and governance Jonathan Bateman and deputy AD/COO Haven Fields.
—Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Upon arrival, officers discovered an older woman unresponsive outside the building, according to North Kansas City deputy city administrator Kim Nakahodo.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deputy
Dictionary Entries Near deputy
Cite this Entry
“Deputy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputy. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deputy
noun
dep·u·ty
ˈdep-yət-ē
plural deputies
1
: a person appointed to act for or in place of another
2
: 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
1
: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
2
: 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
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